Jeremy (or any of the contributors),

Could you please define and clarify the "apostolic view of the pastoral role" as you see it?

Hey, David. I would say Acts stuff. Basic disciple making. How does that happen? First by being Christ follower, not just a believer. Living like Jesus did. Healing, helping, restoring. That's what I would say. Perry points out where I think most of us as pastors are. We're more like polotians than prophets.

I'd definitely agree with Randy, and even clarify it a little bit more:

I think the pastoral role in many churches is has become limited because of a lot of issues: PC, church politics, etc... and in many churches there are unpspoken expecations that the pastor is not a leader meant to lead the church back to its Acts 2 apostolic ethos, but as a status-quo keeper who keeps the boat from being rocked and certainly shouldn't rock the boat for fear of repercussions from a board or cabinet or congregation. When I say an "apostolic view of the pastoral role", that's my knowledge-frame that I'm referencing... The pastor being an apostolic leader to help the church fulfill a missional calling, not a hireling.

Thanks for the question, Dave. I'll try to be more clear in the future. :)