The notion of the pulpit-centric church is a false one...and lends to the errant teaching that the pastor is the one who mans the pulpit, when in actuality, the pastor is our brother, our co-labourer, functioning in HIS calling and gifting along with all of us who are functioning in our callings and giftings. As our shepherd, the pastor can appoint anyone he sees fit to speak to the assembly.
The pulpit centric church is in principle where the Word of God and the preaching and teaching of it is central and where the traditions of men and beggarly rituals and vain fruitless repetitions of 'prayers' are done away with.
The pastor is by definition a shepherd of a local flock. He is then the head of that flock as a shepherd is .He is under THE great shepherd of THE flock to lead the flock in green pastures and still waters of truth where by the same flock given to his charge all "come to a unity of the faith....................................."
That there are different ministries of gifts as the Holy Spirit gives will not and cannot override the pastors ultimate responsibility nor undermine the authority of a shepherd.
Having said that in much that is practised we have deacons who rule the 'flock' and also the accountant .
We have soem who being led astray to think that all children of God are leaders and seek to usurp the position of the pastor.
We have to say also that we have pastors who "lord it over the flock" and will not allow the liberty of the Spirit to manifest itself .
We have also others who allow all manner of fleshly shows of the flesh and proclaim liberty when in fact there is great bondage .
It should be understood that God is not democratic and God has given Jesus to be the head of the church . Yet rather than receive Him who comes not in his own name will receive them who come in their own name.
and perform before Gods people mesmorised eyes and get away with it because the Word of God is not preached as it should be nor the whole council of God to that end that is laid out in Ephesians 2 .
I know of one sincere man of God was was invited to pastor a church in London and accepted the call. The church in question had not had a pastor for a number of years and it showed . But seemed willing .
as this man of God a pastor after Gods heart preached a clique in the church believed he went on too long and before his face and as he was preaching began to look at their watches.
He beign a faithful man of God preached as the Holy Ghost led him and as he sought to lead the church .
So they then began to stand up while he was still speaking and stack the chairs.
In the end he resigned .
At the meeting where he presented his resignation one member of the church said "this is not Gods will" They were right .It was not. But there was not enough of them who wanted Gods will or who were willing to rebuke the overbearing clique and let the pastor 'rule' the church.
You might argue that was but one church. I doubt it very much .Indeed I am certain that it is not.
For people want 'unity' at the expense of truth on the one hand and on the other churches are filled with people who are neither saved or willing to be yet they are made deacons and more and like a little leven effects the whole lump so too does the leven of the pharasees .
All because the Word of God is neglected not taught over much and only those bits that people like the most and flatter them.
We need pulpit centered churches.But we need them filled with men of God .
Who know not only the Word of God . But also the God of the Word.
in Christ
gerald