Should the title "Pastor" be given to just any one?

Question

I have a problem with the idea of giving people in the church title "Pastor".I think a pastor should be some one who has gone to school and studied.To just give the title, I find that misleading to every one.When some one is in charge of say, childrens ministries or music ministries, I don't have a problem with that.
I have questioned two of the actual pastors in the church and they refuse to answer.
Last night I found out that the title is bestowed on some of them so that they don't have to pay taxes and their rent is paid for by the church. Very crooked to me.
Church members what do you think?
No , I don't attend there any longer.

This past week I noticed that the people with the new title of "pastor", has been eliminated from them all of the sudden.Maybe too many church members have been questioning this?

Answer 1

Of course pastors pay taxes. Some choose to opt out of Social Security, but that's only a good idea if you have a church retirement plan.

I'm a pastor and lead a church. I'm still in seminary (I'm a 40 yr old second career student). My denomination requires a Masters of Divinity for ordination, I'm not a minister or a reverend, so I'm a pastor. (One young man at church calls me "preacher man," and that's ok, too.

I'll be responsible for paying ALL of my income tax and ALL of my Social Security on my church pay, this is the case with many in ministry.

Godspeed.

Answer 2

The only requirement for being a pastor is to be called by God. Education is always a plus but it isn't a requirement for ministry. There is nothing wrong with a pastor having his rent paid by the church. It certainly is not crooked. Most don't pay taxes because they don't make enough to pay taxes.

Answer 3

In the Lutheran church, Pastor is reserved for the minister, who is a called and ordained theologian. We do have Youth ministers.. those who work with the youth and, again, have been called and gone through training at one of the Lutheran universities.

Lyriclis... why can't a Pastor be younger than 31? Graduated college at 22, 2 years at seminary earning their masters degree, 1 year as a curate/vicar, then they are ordained. I don't see the problem?

Answer 4

John 3:6 That that's born of the flesh is flesh; and that that's born of the Spirit is spirit. John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and that they that worship him could worship him in spirit and in certainty. The trinity contradicts those verses.

Answer 5

I absolutely agree with this. The church has gone crazy. There are pastors who are my age or younger and I am 31. That's ridiculous.

Answer 6

alright
i am a church member and resently dicovered all the plans of the pastor with the money they get.
it helps with what he talks but i take what i like and leave the rest.
I dont give any money there anymore i give it instead to the homeless what i would give to the church because i dont agree with the use of that money.
You dont have to give money there.
You cna give it anywhere the porppose is the deed and you trying to help out and giving thanks for what you have
did this help?

Answer 7

I'm a pastor--Universal life church--everyone should be, then we could worry less about the stupid title and focus on whether or not the p[erson's spiritual advice is worth crap

Answer 8

Ordination is just a couple mouse-clicks away at the Universal Ministries -- that's where I got mine!

Answer 9

We don't call my Pastor, Pastor. We call him by his first name. He prefers that. He isn't here to minister to glorify himself. HE is here to Glorify CHRIST. I count myself lucky to have him leading our gatherings

Answer 10

why do men desire titles?

my "pastor" is called brother not pastor