Welcome to Bacchus Marsh Life Church, enjoy your stay.
Leaders of the Church
Senior Pastor
Merv Patton
What is a Pastor?
The term pastor usually refers to an ordained person within a Christian church.
The word itself is derived from the Latin word pastor which means shepherd.
The term pastor is also related to the role of elder within the New Testament, but is not synonymous with the biblical understanding of minister.
The use of the term pastor to refer to the common Protestant title of modern times dates to the days of John Calvin and Huldrych Zwingli.
Both men, and other Reformers seem to have revived the term to replace the Catholic priest in the minds of their followers, although the Pastor was still considered separate from the board of presbyters.
The usage of pastor comes from its use in the Bible.
In the Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament) the Hebrew word ra'ah is used.
The word is used 173 times and can describe the feeding of sheep as in Genesis 29:7 or the spiritual feeding of human beings as in
Jeremiah 3:15 "And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding" (KJV).
In the New Testament, the Greek noun poimen and verb poimaino are usually translated shepherd or to shepherd.
The two words are used a total of 29 times in the New Testament, most frequently referring to Jesus.
For example, Jesus called himself the "Good Shepherd" in John 10:11
The same words are used in familiar Christmas story Luke 2 referring to literal shepherds.
In five New Testament passages though, the words are refer to church workers.
John 21:16 Jesus told Peter: "Feed [shepherd] my sheep" (KJV)
Acts 20:17 the Apostle Paul summons the elders or presbyters of the church in Ephesus to give a last discourse to them; in the process, in
Acts 20:28, he tells them that the Holy Spirit has made them bishops, and that their job is to shepherd the flock of God among them.
1 Corinthians 9:7 Paul says, of himself and the apostles: "Who feeds [shepherds] a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?" (KJV)
Ephesians 4:11 Paul wrote "And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastor(s) and teachers" (KJV)
1 Peter 5:1 Peter tells the elders among his readers that they are to, "Feed [shepherd] the flock of God which is among you..." (KJV)
References
John 21:16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (KJV)
Acts 20:17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. (KJV)
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (KJV)
1 Corinthians 9:7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? (KJV)
Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (KJV)
1 Peter 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; (KJV)
2 Timothy 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (KJV)
Assistant Pastors
Heidi Patton
Wayne Treadwell
Elders
Arthur Burvill
Linda Burvill
Ian Gordon
Kees Versteeg
Mieke Versteeg
What is an Elder?
Elders have the responsibility of overseeing the direction of the Church. Elders must be able to preach, take care of discipline and protection of the flock. Elders must always be in unity with each other and with the Pastors. They are a critical part of the Church leadership, and paramount is the example that they set.
People have a right to look at the Elders and expect a level of behaviour as set out in the scriptures.
Elders are overcomers, no matter what they may have to go through.
1 Timothy 5:17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages." 19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.
Titus 1:5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless--not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Deacons
Christine Gordon
Bob MacFarlane
What is a Deacon?
Where as Elders are responsible for the spiritual oversight of a Church, Deacons are responsible more for the practical working of the Church. Set up of the building, care of children, building projects etc..
1 Timothy 3:8 "Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons."
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