I want my pastor to be paid well enough that his wife does not feel obligated to work and that his children are abundantly cared for in their needs and wants. I want my pastor to have ample time off, excellent benefits, and a sabbatical when needed.
Not because someone else couldn’t do the base work (I’m perfectly capable), but because his call is to be set apart for proclaiming the Gospel at all times of need. A pastor shows up for the sick, the dying, the widowed, and the poor in spirit. The Gospel must be preached in my community, and my congregation is responsible for giving one man that duty.
Those of us who have studied theology apart from the public ministry of the pastorate are especially responsible for defending and caring for these men. We should not insist that their work should not be generously compensated simply because we also know and can teach the faith.
@brandon_adams I did this earlier today.
If AI cannot distinguish differences in spelling without prompting, think about how it cannot distinguish between good and bad theology.
@predsfan1956@TomHicks2LCF Barrett was getting quite a name for himself the past few years. A lot of his work was on classical Retrievalism and the Trinity. That said, because of the heaviness of the subjects he wrote on (unless specifically asked) I couldn’t think of a work I could recommend to a laymen.
Baptist congregationalism works itself out:
If the congregation is regenerate, it will choose for itself a regenerate pastor.
If the congregation is unregenerate, it will choose for itself an unregenerate pastor.
True sheep want good and faithful shepherds.
If you take being a Baptist seriously, it entails a political theology: the separation of the civil and ecclesiastical powers (but a robust social action on second-table issues) and the integrity and liberty of individual conscience (within peaceable limits).