Many people have been hurt by ministers and pastors. Some pastors have abused their authority to bring admiration to themselves, and others have started out on the right path only to be led astray. The results in some cases have been devastating and have caused some to lose their faith in the church.
Pastors are human. Even though we hold them to a high regard, they too are tempted by the very same things we are. Through out the Bible, we see story after story of God using imperfect people to further His kingdom. David was a murder, Peter denied Christ, and Paul spent most of his life persecuting and murdering Christians. And yet these men are an integral part of Bible history and God used them to bring many people to His kingdom. God uses pastors to teach us His word and He holds them responsible for what they teach us. Like us, they need to continue to seek the word of God and to stay in constant contact with God through prayer. Find a church with a pastor that teaches and follows scripture and who is open to discuss concerns with you. You will be less likely to be disappointed.
Like every institution and system in our world, God knew that it was necessary to have a way of order or administration. Different people needed different tasks to make everything work as one. Banks have a president and tellers. Families have fathers, mothers and children. The United States has a president, senators, and interns. Each organization needs someone to lead it and people in supporting roles.
In the spiritual kingdom, it is the same way. Jesus is the head and we are the body. The body is guided by the head. Our world has the same hierarchy. In the local church, the 
pastor is the head and the congregation is the body. Without the head, we would be in deep trouble and wouldn’t have someone to grow our faith in the Lord.
Ephesians 4:10-13 talks about Jesus giving us pastors to be in charge of the local churches. Jesus wanted someone to be an overseer of each church and this person would have to carry special abilities to teach the saints and build up the body of Christ. For example, an electrician must learn how to carry out the essential functions to hook up electricity to a home or business. In the same way, God put pastors in place to help mold and shape people for the kingdom of God.
In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus said to “go into the world and make disciples.” This means that we need pastors to teach about the word of God. In the book of Acts, we find numerous accounts of believers willing to believe God to do the impossible. Many people came to Christ in the book of Acts and we saw the growth of the church and disciples sent to teach about Jesus and the word of God. We see mass conversion of unbelievers, miracles and healings that took place once the word of God grew and prevailed. The only way this occurred was by commissioning disciples to preach about Jesus.
I encourage you to read the book of Acts in its entirety so you can see for yourself how God appointed and commissioned people to oversee the local churches. You can also find more on this topic in 1 &2 Timothy where you can find Paul pouring out his heart to young pastors like Timothy encouraging them to preach about Jesus. The book of Titus is where Paul also gives an administrative blue print for pastor’s in the ministry.
The local church in the community is where pastors are appointed by the Holy Spirit to carry out kingdom business. We must remember that Satan targets those people who are doing the most to build the kingdom of God; Satan is here to steal, kill, and destroy not build up and encourage. If Satan can discourage or destroy a pastor, he has postponed work for the Kingdom of God. But God is ready for these attacks; He will use what Satan intends for evil to further and strengthen God’s kingdom.
In summary, Jesus is the head of the spiritual world and He appoints administrative positions (pastors) to assist with training and teaching in our world. This is so God’s kingdom will grow and advance on earth. God is inviting all of us to join what His plan for the ages. He wants us to use our gifts, talents, and abilities in our local churches to help reach more people for the Kingdom of God. Your gifts and abilities can only strengthen 
and grow if you are using them how God wants you to use them: to advance His kingdom.
Look for a church with a pastor who is following God with all of his spirit, soul, mind, and body. The pastor should be looking for opportunities to advance God’s kingdom in the community and the world. He should also be teaching and supporting any teachings with scripture from the Bible. The pastor should also be open to hearing from you and any concerns you may have.
The goal is to have fellowship with all believers. Acts 4:32 says: Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.
God’s Word to Pastors by Bob Yandian will enlighten your understanding of what a pastor goes through because of his calling. This book will also strengthen your faith. I highly recommend it.
If you need assistance finding the church home that is right for you, let us help. Our church finder can help find the right place for you.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you for my life and I know you call me out of darkness into your marvelous light. I ask that you forgive me and place me in a local church somewhere where all you have given me can be displayed for your glory and honor. In Christ’s name. Amen.
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Tony on the Border 