The Front Porch is a place for conversations about biblical faithfulness in African-American churches. Here we'll post interviews, panel discussions, and other videos. See more at www.thefrontporch.org.
Thank you. I just saw this, and it's apparently a number of years old. Great wisdom from obviously well-groomed men (Spiritually speaking). Leaves me wanting MORE! I'm a 67 year old gent, working steadfastness for the Lord, and sensing a deeper call (Elder? Pastor?) Appreciated so much, what was said in this video!
I don’t enjoyed the explanation, but I am still not understanding as to why pastors should be hired. Even Jesus worked as to not burden or put anyone out. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
wow this is a blessing, im apart of a church where the pastor is kind of a dictator over us. he has no one to tell him what to do essentially, not even deacons. though there are two elders (one a woman) which i cant reconcile with scripture. the man is sound and meets the requirements but has no say. or at least he doesnt do anything. i do plan on sharing the revelations God has been giving me and i hope leadership truly becomes plural
I personally prefer a church led by a group of no-salary elders. If the church is not growing, we have no one to blame but ourselves. One question: Are the church leaders in the Bible got paid a monthly salary? Or they all had to live on faith as everyone else?
I agree that one question is “is Paul authoritative”… but we must also ask is Jesus, Moses, authoritative? Of we say “yes” to all of the above then we must ask if text s seem to conflict then we maintain ask “are we clearly understanding the text?” Do we interpret Jesus in the light of Paul? Or Paul in the light of Jesus? And so on. im the light
If you don’t feel comfortable with that language perhaps you haven’t been called. Maybe you desired to preach and followed the path to preaching much like others follow career paths. Being called is an experience we see more than a few times in the Bible. Same God back then is the same God right now.
Often the person of God will be seeking God for themselves, family and the church will not always be receptive because of how they watched you as a child, or they are spiritually dead, and the biggest element that will try to discourage is Satan himself, his goal is to prevent you from listening to God, or to distract you by other means. Study God's word, pray more read more, love people more, it will become tougher, but when God sees your faith He will reveal His mission for you step by step. Remember not the whole vision, but peice by peice.
I'm a former catholic after I saw through the lies. My litmus test for anyone who wants to preach to me is if they accept that the Earth is fixed and immovable, like the Bible says 11 times. It also says he stopped the sun and moon for a day for Joshua. I'm not letting anyone lie to me anymore about the Earth spinning 1000mph. If they can't see that truth, then I have no use for them.
This is a Great conversation but I have a question. There was a question ask if deacons have the authority to hire or let go of pastors and the brother on the right said no but what are the deacons to do if a pastor is misusing the office or if a pastor leaves or dies?
Has any church had a run-away pastor who had or brought in a "I'm the King mentality"? Congregations should be a part of pastor hiring/dismissal, along with the Deaconship, not Deacon Board!
Great discussion. It's high time the church elders are selected amongst their membership apart from deacons. I think this will help in deed to keep the elders in check especially in a season like this where sound doctrines seems to be disappearing from pulpits!
Respect brethren, first and foremost it is almighty Father God who ordains one to office it's not a political vote from the church amen. Second there is one head after Jesus over a local church as Shepard such as Bishop or Pastor amen. These guys setting here projecting who should run the head the over seer of the church are nothing of Christ Jesus or rather lack understanding with Shepards amen. This problem arrives with Satan tempting with pride which arrive be for the fall amen. All respect in Christ Jesus amen
Don't know why this video was recommended to me and I don't know who these guys are or even watched the video for that matter. The only reason that I clicked on this video was because I swore that that thumbnail looked like the picture of when Henry Louis Gates Jr, James Crowley and President Obama (then future and now current President Biden is in some shots also) met at the Whitehouse back in 2009. Seems like a lifetime ago.
I just found the front porch today. I wish the front porch still had the chairs with the brothers sitting in them. I appreciate their hearts for the Lord and Shepherding and I appreciate their wisdom and experience. Any chance that those warn white chairs on the porch will be occupied again? God bless
The pastor is the frontman of the church. Paul said to Titus, he was to appoint elders in every city. Not deacons. In Acts 20, Paul sent for the elders of the church. Not deacons. Paul gave charge to Timothy, he was the Bishop of Ephesus. Now in 1Timothy Paul gave the qualifications of bishops and deacons. The deacons do not feed the congregation. A elder and bishop are titles of a pastor. Now Peter in his epistle said; The elders among you, who also am an elder, I exhort, feed the flock of God. He never mentioned the deacons. I'm gonna light a fire here, black people are hard to pastor. I've seen a lot of black churches where black, both men and women rise up against the preacher. Look at Moses, Aaron was high priest, but God talked to Moses. I was a deacon in my church from 1989 to 2018. My pastor appointed me he felt I met the qualifications of a deacon. Which I did. God deal more with the preacher than anyone else in church. Deacons are nothing more, than glorified servants. Waiting on tables. Following orders. I been in church now 44 years. My first 41 years was a black congregation and I've seen first hand how hard headed people can be. I left that church to go be with a UPCI Apostolic church. I disagree with you guys immensely. The deacons do not run the church, the pastor does. Jeremiah said: And I will give unto you pastors, after mine own heart, who shall feed you knowledge and understanding. The pastor. Deacons are to help the pastor. A house, a marriage, can only have one head. Just like the church. The pastor is the under shepherd. Deacon don't decide nothing. Some deacons become preachers. But, what kind? Evangelists? Minister? Pastor? That, is up to God. The deacons do not move the pastor. The bible says treat the pastor as a father. Give him double honor. Never said a deacon. When people get saved, the pastor is their father in the gospel. Where do you see a deacon preach anyone out. A deacon labor's, but a pastor labor's more. I got saved at the age of 17, and I seen a lot. The dead raised, demons cast pout, the sick healed. Sinners come to the Lord. All at the leading of the Holy Ghost moving through the pastor. If the Holy Ghost deals with the preacher, and deacons at the same time, that's confusion. And God is not the author of confusion.
You two are absolutely delightful and I thoroughly enjoyed every word of this conversation: the godly and biblical insight you brought, your humility and your biblical wisdom. I have subscribed and really hope to hear more from you both! Hugs from NC :)
It was a great informational. My only critique would be that this was addressed to “males”. The call is gender neutral, we know, however, when discussing the topic in the manner in which they did, it was obviously thought of and delivered as if to males. What does a male pastor do when a female approaches with the same inquiry? It has been difficult as a woman to confirm my call within. When there is no direct reflection of the desire in my heart, how do I know? Something about needing confirmation and direction from woman to woman.
Yeshua speaks of this and he is our only teacher and master and shepherd. Yeshua also said to not take wages for the gospel. Jesus only chose 12 apostles and those 12 were in the room on the day the Holy Spirit rushed in as wind. Jesus told us to call one another brethren and nothing more. He knew false apostles were going to make themselves into deacons, elders, and pastors. We were warned but so many haven’t listened 😞. They flock into the 33 degree free mason organizations and believe they have to give them money to stand on a pulpit. Heartbreaking 😢
Why is it that when a man or woman believes that God is calling them to preach as a Pastor, every one of them seems to want to build or find or rent out a church space? Every person is called to testify and to proclaim that that Jesus is Lord and the gospel word of God. I've come to realize that in being called to preach and teach the Gospel, why not become an associate Pastor to another church? Is it because one knows that he will be subordinate to the leading Pastors? Does that actually happen? Do men finally taking up the call to pastor and or preach at a church they've chosen and find that the elders keep him from preaching? If so, what is the issue behind it?
In the Bible, the apostles created the deacons in order to run the business of the church. The elders/bishops/pastors teach and minister the flock. The deacons conduct the business and relieve the every day stresses from the elder/pastor.
The Apostles in response to the Greek speaking widows who complained because of a discrepancy in distribution of food. The Apostles were unable to preach, teach and heal which was their functions. They told the people to look among them and select 7 men of good reputation. Wisdom and be full of the spirit. Their biblical mandate was to serve the table. They were not even referred to as Deacons until Philippians , chapter 1. Modern day Deacons are administrators. They have assumed extra-biblical status and in some cases have proven to be a detriment to the overall mission of the church.
My church wants me to be ordained a Deacon and I been putting it off my spirit won't let me do it....... As a CONSCIENCE black man something in my system and I feel like I know what it right and wrong and things in my church are not right and I don't want my hands in a sinking ship
