What, specifically, is wrong for a pastor to do that is not wrong for any other Christian to do?

Question

Please specify an example of the "higher standard" separating clergy from laity in real, concrete terms? I want an example, such as, "It is OK for the average Christian to X but it is wrong for a pastor to do the same thing."

Apaka... So it's OK for a lay person to teach false doctrines (in Sunday School, to an acquaintence, at VBS, etc.)?

So it's theologically OK for lay people not to show up to church?

Harry... so the average Christian can pick and choose their gifts to serve but a pastor has to fit a certian mold? Why, then, are there exclusively teaching pastors and preaching pastors and counseling pastors, etc?

So the average Christian isn't supposed to be a role model for the Church?

Sam, how is it OK for a lay person to come to church when they feel like it??

Answer 1

There is no difference,,,the behavior should be the same regardless of what office in the church they hold...or just a member of the Church. There is no such thing as a higher standard. I hear people say this all the time, but I don't find it in scripture...Sin is sin,,,it doesn't matter who you are. I do think people expect more from a preacher,,,simply because they look to him to set an example..but they should be looking to Jesus for their example.

Answer 2

The qualifications for a pastor(shepherd) (also called a bishop, elder and overseer) are found in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1. While there are no actions that a pastor might do that is a sin, while being performed by a Christian are okay, perhaps you are asking about things/qualification a pastor must be or have that a christian who is not a pastor must not, mainly:

1. A man
1 Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife
2. Married (see same passage above)
3. Father of believing children
1 Tim. 3:4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence
4. A novice (new christian)
1 Tim. 3:6 not a novice,

So, per your statement, it is okay for the average Christian not to be married man or have children who are not believers or to be new to the faith, but not for a pastor.

Answer 3

My father is a Pastor. I am here to tell you that the people who answered here are very kind, but naive.

There is a totally different set of rules for the Pastor and his family. They live in a glass house. They are expected to be perfect in many areas. Many many things he and his family do are mis-interpreted and twisted into juicy gossip.

There are many articles on the Internet about Pastors wives, and pastors lives who are made miserable by self-righteous ungodly church members.

Too often a Pastor and his family are punished for all the evil someone has witnessed in a previous pastoral relationship. No matter how golden you are, you just do not measure up.

Maybe this good question will help some rethink how they view and treat Pastors and their families.

It is not all bad. But there is definitely a double-standard. And what is amazing is that the people who responded here are blind to it.

Answer 4

Why are you prepared approximately a PASTOR'S profits? Why does the effortless CEO makes hundreds of situations extra suitable than the effortless worker? Is 50 situations extra suitable than an worker no longer adequate?? Why do medical doctors make plenty money -- and it is not suitable in the event that they're incorrect or appropriate? Why do you ought to pay extra to a physician in case you do not have coverage, and much less in case you do have coverage -- why does a number of the invoice disappear with coverage, and the non-insured are caught with all the invoice? Why might you opt for what a pastor's profits is, without even pondering what the common jobs are, and how great the church is? Who receives called interior the midst of the nighttime while somebody's interior the well-being facility, drops each and every thing while somebody else dies, performs the funeral and helps the kinfolk emotionally, runs the Wednesday nighttime bible learn, after that's predicted to 'carry out' completely on the top of the week at an 11 a.m. Sunday morning? what number roles are on-call 24/7 and make basically the country's effortless profits of $40,000? Fewer than 15 % of the country has extra suitable than a college degree, consisting of maximum Ministers who've a minimum of a Masters of Divinity and a great form of with Doctorate. how a lot of those 15 % make decrease than $70,000? a great form of the time pastors pay their very own Social protection and pay their very own taxes. they in lots of situations pay their very own scientific well-being coverage. Church salaries additionally in lots of situations incorporate motor vehicle and housing allowances. The question isn't why are pastors paid plenty in a broken international of injustice -- the question is why does each and every physique else accomplish that little to help replace a broken and unjust international while they're paid so properly? Godspeed.

Answer 5

Hmmm... I thought about that and I really don't think there is anything. Maybe there are a couple little things that it's better if a pastor doesn't do... but anything actually wrong is supposed to be avoided by all Christians!

oops, "Sam" you made a mistake there. Holy Days of Obligation are NOT the only days when Catholics are required to attend Mass. They are the only days OTHER THAN SUNDAY that Catholics must go to Mass. Holy Days of Obligation are important feasts which ordinarily fall on days other than Sunday. They're the "extra" days when Catholics are required to go to Mass. Every Sunday is required too though.

Answer 6

It is OK if the average Christian is not apt to teach but a Pastor must be an willing teacher.

agapefromnc

addendum

Teaching is not a universal gift....but 1 Timothy 3 states...

Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self‑controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach......"

Just going by the Scripture and picking one attribute that fits your question.

agapefromnc

Answer 7

Nothing. But if the pastor does something wrong there is a much greater consequence than if the average Joe does the same thing. The pastor is in the public eye.

Answer 8

I don't see why there would be a different standard.

Why would one sin be "OK" for someone just because they weren't a pastor?

The only difference is that a pastor has been called to a special job. But pastors and lay-people alike are all subject to the same standards of God.

Answer 9

Sorry... no such thing.

Same rules apply to clergy as the rest of us... pastors are merely supposed to be role models for their congregations, so it damages the church more when the pastor strays.

Answer 10

Remember a pastor is the lowest of servents. But I remember the bible teaches that pastors and teachers must not teach false doctorine and will be held accountable for doing so.