The Churches Educational Department Part 1 (The Pastors)

The word elder is the Greek word πρεσβύτερος prĕsbutĕrŏs, and it means “a person of responsibility and authority in matters of socio-religious concerns, both in Jewish and Christian societies.”

The first office described is the office of a bishop. The word bishop is the Greek word ἐπίσκοπος ĕpiskŏpŏs, and mean’s a superintendent, overseer, an officer in charge of the church.

1 Peter 5:1–4 AV 1873

1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

The word pastor comes from the Greek word ποιμήν pŏimēn and “means a shepherd, pastor.”

The qualifications for the pastor's office is to be “blameless,” in other words, without reproach (1 Tim. 3:1; Titus 1:5, 7). “The husband of one wife” disqualifies women from being eligible for this office (1 Tim. 3:1; Titus 1:5). Furthermore, Paul says that the pastor is to rule “his” household well (verse 4). He is to have an upright character described as “vigilant, sober, or good behaviour” (1 Tim 3:2) and “as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate” (Titus 1:7-8). The pastor should also not be enticed by alcohol (1 Tim. 3:3). The pastor should also have a working knowledge of Scripture being solid in its doctrine, so the devil cannot snare him in a trap. Therefore, the pastor must be able to stand up to spiritual attacks (1 Tim. 3:7; Titus 1:9-11).

Churches are Wanting

1.5% of pastors leave the pulpit each year.

39% of Americans see pastors as honest

37% of Americans have confidence in the church

The World Needs Truth

63% of Americans identify as Christians

41% say that Jesus is the Son of God

1 in 6 young adult identify as LGTBQ

47 % of Americans are members of a church

3 in 10 unchurched Americans say they have been witnessed to.

57% of Americans think at least monthly about how they can find more meaning and purpose.

False beliefs abound

There are roughly 4200 religions in the world.