Women as pastors/priests

junco · Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 4:46 pm Post subject:

All right. As should be manifestly apparent there are a great many definitions of the concept 'to preach.' Hoping you understand as we understand that our definition is strictly a matter of opinion, we have encountered many pastors who use the word 'preach' and the word 'prophesy' interchangeably. We both like this approach.

So how do we define prophesy? That a person, moved of and inspired by Jesus' Spirit, speaks to believers and sometimes non-believers, most often laity although not necessarily, words and messages that prayerfully explain an insight, a situation, a Bible (notice we didn't use the more general term 'Biblical') lesson to convict the listener of a truth AS IT IS NOW, IN THE CURRENT DAY. This emphasis does thoroughly NOT IMPLY that past or future conditions are irrelevant, but to underline that prophesy is not the same as prediction.

As a definition this is a basic, a beginning. The nuts and bolts of preaching involve several approaches, of course. For example exposition versus story-telling. Always it MUST be Bible based, and ideally led of the Lord, that is to say, received revelation based on the understanding that prayer is a two way street and the Lord answers prayers. We have found that the best sermons are the ones that convict us personally.

RevJP, we feel sure you understand this, but spell it out for others. Notice we did not include the requirement of a pastoral setting nor a pastorate here, as pulpit supply is a valid milieu for prophesy as well as in a private interchange.

Agape, Les and Chris

RevJP · Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 11:52 am Post subject: