Bibilical Pastoral Searches

[Pastor Bill]

if the local church made the appointment, it wouldn't really be an appointment would it?

So, Pastor Bill, it has to be an "overseer" or someone outside the
the local that makes the selection and appointment for it to be an
appointment?

I guess I thought an appointment by anyone was an appointment.

BTW, who do you think would know the local church, its needs
and what would fit better, the local people or an overseer just sent
into a state?

Do you think it likely, that a man raised, say, in Los Angles or in NYC
would understand the culture and people of eastern Ky., or northern Ms.
or any rural setting without having spent some years there?
Or Vice Versa.


RuSKY

The discussion was that there are biblical examples of both appointment to a church, and the church making the decision itself. If someone in the church is making the appointment, then wouldn't that be the second method? That's all I was pointing out.

As for you further statements, it really depends on the situation. Sometimes what a church needs, and what the church wants can be two different things, and regardless of where someone is raised, or their familiarity with the church they need to seek God. Those things can actually be stumbling blocks as well, depending on the situation. I think anytime a church says "we know best" or an overseer says "I know best" they've missed the point of their calling. God knows best, both have unique perspective on the situation, and neither is really a perfect view. IF both are seeking God, either method can and will work, if both are not, then either method will fail.

I was only interjecting that I have personally seen situations where the church was NOT seeking God, and an overseer stepped in and made a much wiser choice. That is the reasoning, I feel, this authority is given to the overseer in our organization, and I feel if he takes it seriously, he will take the personality, culture and advice of the local church into account, but sometimes that may not be in agreement with the desires of the local church which can be a very different thing in some situations.

I have always known the hand of God was on the appointments I have taken, it has always been confirmed by all three, the church, the overseer and myself as the pastor that has been my experience in the CoGoP, I have seen many other things outside of this organization, and I'll tell you no way is perfect, and church choice isn't all it's cracked up to be either. It has and will cause some churches to self-destruct, or continue in abusive and corrupt conditions. On the other hand, I have seen both appontments and church choice work well in other situations.

This is much more a matter of the hearts, and much less a matter of procedure.

[RuSKY]

This is much more a matter of the hearts, and much less a matter of procedure.

Pastor Bill, I can amen your last statment.

I do believe that the members should have input whatever the method.

RuSKY

[stevenson]

Very good thread and responses!