Foundations of Christian Leadership, Mentor's Guide, MG07

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F O U N D A T I O N S O F C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P

you on the nature of the pastoral ministry. The questions below are meant to spur your own questions about this important ministry. * Is it possible to be called to the pastorate even when in fact you don’t want to be a pastor? Explain your answer. * How specifically would you know that God wanted you to join the pastorate? Must this come from one’s own sense of calling, from your leader’s sense of your own gifting and ministry, or a combination of both? * Are women allowed to be in the pastorate? What are we to make of the many denominations which recognize pastoral authority for godly, mature women today? * Should there be only one senior pastor or should we always seek a plurality of pastors in charge of the church? * Howmuch of a church’s operations (i.e., administration, finances, facilities, etc.) should be under the control and oversight of the pastor? Should a pastor’s responsibility be limited to the spiritual responsibilities associated with leading the people of God, and the more mundane items be turned over to others? Why or why not? * How long should the term of pastor, elder, or deacon be? Ought we to place any limits in regards to term limits for any Christian leaders in the church? * How confidential must a pastor be in the various kinds of dealings that they have with the different members of the church? Do any circumstances exist where a pastor might have to break confidence, both for the good of the individuals and of the congregation. Site examples. * Can a pastor function properly if they do not also have an authority structure that they must report and answer to? What are the implications of this for the kind of church government that churches ought to establish for their own and their pastor’s benefit? * What are the qualifications that we ought to use for identifying and selecting pastoral candidates for the ministry? How important ought things like salary, housing, insurance, and similar items be in selecting a congregation to lead? Explain your answer.

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