what is the difference???

mossy33oak · 01-12-2006, 12:43 PM

Ive always wondered this question and I hope yall dont think Im stupid, but here it goes.......in the church that I attend the man who leads the sermons is called"pastor". But I hear Reverend, Minister, Deacon, etc. what exactly is the difference between them? I assume it is something to do with each different type of group. My church is Bretheren, are all Bretheren guys called Pastors? One more thing, I attended a funeral today and it was lead by a "Reverend" (whom I didnt know), he wore a black outfit and had the little white collar on. I thought this outfit was for Catholic men, but I know for a fact that he does not preach in a catholic church. Im sure you guys know the answers.....hope I dont sound too awful stupid.

PKnTX · 01-12-2006, 02:10 PM

mossy,
There are many here more learned than I
(I know it's hard to believe but trust me) but
I'm going to take a stab at this.
My observance is that the titles given to
the different leaders of different churches is
somewhat like the nomenclature of rifle cartridges.
In a few cases, uh, I mean denominations, the title
is very specific, formaland meaningful. In some, it
is muchmore casual. Example. The Catholic church
could be considered by somevery hieratic. No, I
was NOT trying to type heretic. What I mean is,
positions within the church are held to be somewhat
sacred, maby even holy, so the titles (pope, cardinal,
bishop etc)have very significant meaning.
Other churchslean verymuch the other way. They
will reject any type of titled leader within the church
and will site bible verses to show why. Those in the
middle are kind of like those cartridges that give you
no real idea of what the heck they are other than maby
the caliber and you'll just have to look up the ballistics.
Minister, pastor, deacon, brother, reverand. It's mostly
tradition within a church and what people are comfortable
with. Just look at some of the other threads,what possible
difference could a NAME make.

As for the collar question, I too have seen different
denominations wear it. Maby kind of like a badge?
I don't know.
So you see mossy, it's not a bad question and most of
us have wondered the same. Actually, many of us are
still wandering... I mean wondering. Hope you don't mind
me having a little fun.

I know you're serious with your
question and I really have answered by what I believe.

God bless and GO COWBOYS,
PK

FroMan · 01-12-2006, 03:02 PM

Honestly, we use pastor, preacher, reverend and all for our "ordained" ministers. Reverend seems more formal. Pastor seems like it's usually the head pastor of a congregation. Preacher seems more...personal to me.

Deacon in the Assemblies of God is an elected member of the congregation who has a layperson job. They help make decisions and help implement the head pastors vision for the church.

We also have Trustees which handle the purchasing/selling of property and most financial matters.

Rebel Hog · 01-12-2006, 04:30 PM

Eph.4:11
[11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
pastor

In some groups of Christians, the clergyman in charge of an individual congregation. The term is used this way in the Lutheran Church and Roman Catholic Church and, to a lesser extent, by Baptists and in the Protestant Episcopal Church.

Mossy, anyone can be preacher, but all can be a Pastor.
The meaning of Pastor in Spanish is Shepherd.

The Rev · 01-12-2006, 04:36 PM

Mossy, anyone can be preacher, but all can be a Pastor.

[/quote]

HUH? Rebel, now you got me confused! Have you been eating some of the soured corn you've been putting out?

Sound like that soured corn has turned into Jack Daniels.

The Rev · 01-12-2006, 04:42 PM

Sorry Mossy... But Rebel sometimes has to be helped back into the train, he falls off every now and then.

Answer
Pastors, Reverends, and Priest( ordained) are usually those that leadthe churches and deliver the sermons, marry and bury people
Evangelist preach the word, but do not have a home chuch they lead.
Deacons, Elders are workers of the church ordained into that office. They help the pastor ect with the duties, they visit the sick and so on.
Brothers and sisters are all of us, the family of the body of Christ.

Let not over do this one, Mossy just asked a simple question, he deserves a simple answer.

Rebel Hog · 01-12-2006, 04:49 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: The Rev

Mossy, anyone can be preacher, but all can be a Pastor.

Eph.4:11
[11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

No Rev. I have'nt.I know Philosopher's at the University of South Fla. that can quote the bible better than many, many Preacher's and Reverends and have nothing to do with going to church. Just because a person can resite the bible, does not make him aPastor (Shepherd) of the congregation!

Rebel Hog · 01-12-2006, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Sorry Mossy... But Rebel sometimes has to be helped back into the train, he falls off every now and then.

Mossy, read my post's! Just because a person can resite the Bible does'nt mean he's a Shepherd (Pastor) to his congregation!

The Rev · 01-12-2006, 05:09 PM

]

Mossy, read my post's! Just because a person can resite the Bible does'nt mean he's a Shepherd (Pastor) to his congregation!
[/quote]

So true, it's like anyone can father a child, but it takes a specical person to be a daddy. Unfortunately there are too many pastors that really should be evangelist. They can preach and send out a message, but when it comes to taking care of the affairs of the Church, they are not suited for it. It really takes a special person to be a pastor ( Shepherd).

Leafrivermac · 01-12-2006, 05:11 PM

Reb, I think brother Rev was refering to your typo . .leaving out the word "not".

Unless I'm mistaken you meant to say "Mossy, anyone can be preacher, but not all can be a Pastor.