OPERATING A CHURCH WITHOUT A PASTOR (3)

0. Introduction

a) Can a church start WITHOUT an "ordained" person, be they a Pastor, Priest or Minister, present to lead the group? Are there certain functions and ceremonies within the church that should only be performed by those who receive a salary to serve? Below are several common practices and services that Christian churches commonly perform and how they can be handled by small groups and fellowships.

1. Anointing and prayer for the sick

a) James 5 tells us that "the elders of the Church" should pray for the sick and anoint them with oil.

i) "Is anyone sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him after anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. (James 5:14) 

b) But who are ELDERS? How does a person become one? The Bible does not spell out a specific procedure, but the historical meaning of the word is simply older, wiser, people who helped to govern the affairs of a civil or religious group. The Bible never mentions a ceremony whereby someone "becomes an elder". While there are examples of laying on of hands to give people special responsibilities within a congregation, no scripture says that an elder MUST have hands laid upon them. Older, spiritually mature, righteous brethren in a congregation, whomever they are, can pray for the sick and anoint them.  

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