In this day and age of man, and New Covenant era, there is no need for "armor bearers", as Ministers are not nation Kings to be protected in such context.
Rather, in the New Test., God instituted the "Church" system, where grous of the "Body" would gather, then gain a building specific for Glorifying God.
As such, God then lead the Apostles to appoint Leaders- (Sheperds), then if necessary, appoint subleaders as well as groups got too big. This follows God's guidance of Moses, when leading them and judging them for problems got too much for him.
Thus, God declares in His Word, there are sheperds and Deacons. Deacons have taken over the role of "Armor Bearers", but also taken the role of sub leaders.
First- "Armor Bearers"- They are indoctrinated into the Church for alegeance to it and serving it as according to thier Churches doctrinal beliefs and uphold them in the face of divisions, discentions, etc.
Second- They are to work with the Pastor in taking over particular duties as "Head" of them under the Pastor, to help keep operations going smoother. As such, as with Moses, now he didn't have to listen to all problems, but only the unresolvable ones.
Actually, what happened in your Church, appears to be a signal from your Pastor there are problems in your Church amongst the people and he is showing a "guarded" position from all the prolems, by distancing himself from it to a point thru this method. (Which could be a message to the Congregation of his concerns).
In our Church, if someone has a particulart question about some subject, if covered under the area(s) a Deacon is heading, they need to speak with that Deacon first. Depending upon the nature of the question or suggestions, either the Deacon will handle it if simple enough, or bring it before the "Board" of Deacons at thier meeting.
In this way, the Pastor still has full authority guided by God, but the Deacons, guided by God, share some of that responcibility to relieve the Pastor of some of the lesser operations of the Church, while still having full authority over all decisions.
I got that list from the web. I have known my pastor for 20 plus years and do not believe he would approve of most of that list. Probably would these: Must have a deep-down sense of respect for the leader, and acceptance for and tolerance of, the leaders personality and their way of doing things Must walk in agreement with and submission to the leader Must be a support to the leader Must be an effective communicator
This along with some other issues concerning the prosperity thing have raised quite a few questions in my mind.
As for people wanting to return to OT rituals, you're right. It's easier that way. You don't have to study the Word for yourself, you just do with the "priest" tells you to do ... follow the same rituals and traditions you've followed forever and you never have to listen for the voice of God because He only speaks to the priests!
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"I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to His holy people." Jude 3 Joyce
WOW! What kind of minister (a word that means SERVANT) is this pastor of yours? Let me just reword some of those following "job descriptions" you posted ...
1. Must have a deep-down sense of respect for the leader, and acceptance for and tolerance of, the leader's personality and their way of doing things: "Must be completely convinced that, even if he sees the leader doing something that seems morally or spiritually wrong, there must be a good reason for it and must close his eyes to it." 2. Must instinctively understand the leaders thoughts: "Must jump to fulfill the leader's every unspoken request ... whether for a glass of water or a visit to a 'disobedient' congregant's home." 3. Must walk in agreement with and submission to the leader: "Must be a yes-man and never question the leader's actions, requests or behavior." 4. Must make the advancement of the leader the most important goal: "Must be willing to cover up all mistakes, sins or moral downfalls of the leader so that the leader will continue to advance toward godship in the eyes of the congregation. 5. Must possess endless strength so as to thrust, press and force their way onward without giving way under harsh treatment: "If the leader yells at you or even 'disciplines' you physically that's part of the job description ... take it like a man ... If someone else yells at you, even accuses the pastor of something evil you are to ignore their complaints or reports and let the pastor know there is a 'troublemaker' in your group."
What kind of minister (the word means SERVANT) is this man? It sounds as if self-promotion, power, prestige and egotism are what this is all about. Frankly, it sounds like a position Jimmy Jones of Peoples' Temple infamy would have used if he'd thought of it.
-- Edited by wordworker at 16:39, 2007-10-24
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"I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to His holy people." Jude 3 Joyce
I agree Joyce. I am at the ready to leave now. I am seeking my Lords direction as to his will in this matter. I have read some of Frank Viola's writtings and as of yet nothing glares out at me of it's incorrectness. I have to do more study on Mr. Viola. One thing I am sure of is God is about to do something with and in me that He has not before now and although I don't know what, I am ready.
All those reinstating this position will be simular to this list with some variations. If you do a google search you will see they have training for this.
Duties of an Armor Bearer
Must provide strength for the leader
Must have a deep-down sense of respect for the leader, and acceptance for and tolerance of, the leaders personality and their way of doing things
Must instinctively understand the leaders thoughts
Must walk in agreement with and submission to the leader
Must make the advancement of the leader the most important goal
Must possess endless strength so as to thrust, press and force their way onward without giving way under harsh treatment
Must follow directives immediately and correctly
Must be a support to the leader
Must be an effective communicator
Must have a disposition that will eagerly gain victories for the leader
Must have the ability to minister strength and courage to the leader
Frankly, Sojourner, if the "armor bearer" in your church does the job that armor bearers did for the OT Kings, I'd run as fast as possible away from there! Why should pastors need someone to run interference between them and the people they are supposedly called to serve? How would a rich person feel if suddenly he had to ask his servants' "secretaries" for an audience with his servant? If the pastor is so overwhelmed with the number of needs in his congregation, either he needs to preach more "meat" sermons to grow his people up or else he needs to pray about planting a new church! To repeat questions I asked before in a separate topic ... "Have you heard how many people are leaving established churches to attend or create a house church? Could it be that Jesus is calling people out of the institutional church to make His bride 'without spot or wrinkle' for His return?"
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"I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to His holy people." Jude 3 Joyce
Some time back around 2000 or 2001 the position of "Armor Bearer" was instituted into our church. There were one man each appointed to our Sr. and Jr. Pastor. I have never really thought about it until recently so I have done some digging. This is not NT at all. It is also, at least to me, self exalting in that it further widens the gap between Pastor and flock. I have some issues with the separation of Pastor and flock brewing as well but that's another topic. I guess what befuddles me the most is that somehow Christians of today seem to desire a return to OT rituals. I believe God is allowing this to fulfill prophecy concerning the falling away. More and more I am feeling alone in church. I have told my wife that I don't know how much longer I can attend there. I seek Jesus and his kingdom not a return to sacrifices for my sin.
