Do you depend on your Pastor for salvation, or making it to heaven? What role should a Pastor play?

[Anonymous]

I am at a weird crossroads of sorts. I joined a non-denominational church as soon as I turned 18. I was young and impressionable and came from a Catholic family.

I have now come to understand that the church I spent decades at preaches the Prosperity gospel. The Pastors have the luxury cars, they have a private plane but they have no connection to the thousands that attend services under them. They push tithe and offering and giving financially for Pastor wedding anniversaries and birthdays.

Now, I question what role an actual Pastor should have in my life. I’m also questioning what denomination fits with my beliefs vs. those beliefs instilled at this church.

I want to continue to seek a religious or spiritual path but without a formal leader. Are there faiths, churches, that believe in Jesus but do not rely on a person - Pastor, Reverend, etc.. for salvation and making it to heaven? Is this a trauma response in that I can’t trust a leader because of my terrible experience?

[Anonymous]

Most mainstream protestant churches do not give the minister a direct role in your salvation: they are there for guidance, not direct intercession. Catholic priests have a direct role in terms of sacraments but you are not required to agree with them personally.

No ministers should be getting cash gifts from the congregation, IMO. In most protestant churches the congregation pays the minister's salary but the amount is set by a board of directors.

[Anonymous]

Agree with 12:28. One is saved by personal faith. Read the New Testament. Really. It would be good to do it yourself.

That is the point of EASTER. Martin Luther started the split by claiming no intermediary is needed. No pope, saint, Virgin Mary.

[Anonymous]

Why would you depend on a pastor for YOUR salvation? Seriously, ask yourself that again.

It’s ridiculous to put YOUR salvation in someone else’s hand. Do you not want to take accountability for yourself?

Do it yourself. No one is responsible for you but you.

[Anonymous]

Op here. I may have phrased it incorrectly but the general question I have given my experience with both faiths is how much do you rely on a Pastor?

I grew up Catholic and going to confession with the Priest for example to confess my sins versus praying directly to God for ultimate forgiveness.

What role should a Pastor if I continue as a nondenominational believer have in my life?

The church I most recently attended there was that pressure that if you were going to another church you were in the wrong House of God to be led to heaven.

[Anonymous]

This is like asking which trail guide is going to best lead you to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Answer: Neither. There is no pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.

[Anonymous]

I'm Muslim not Christian but obviously a relatable matter for all abrahamic religions. I don't get people who can rely on pastor/Imam for a connection with God. They have their value but its limited and anyone but YOU can make you a spiritual person. Imho being kind to God's creatures is the only way for inner peace and whatever "salvation" us humans are searching for. I feel like in the end, pastor/Imam are just professionals earning their living. They are more about organized religion and rituals than true spirituality. Just my 2 cents, your mileage may vary.

[Anonymous]

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The church I most recently attended there was that pressure that if you were going to another church you were in the wrong House of God to be led to heaven.

If you believe this you’re nuttier than a jar of peanut butter. Any church telling its members this is a not good place to attend.

You don’t even need a pastor or church to commune with God. Commune with God yourself, God is within you, not in the sky. So anywhere you stand is a house of God because God is within you.

And I agree with the previous poster, pastors are just paid professionals. Do not rely on them to get you to “heaven.”

You have to get un brainwashed.

[Anonymous]

Pastors basically are COOs of the church, deliver sermons, visit the sick maybe if requested, perform funerals and marriages, and nag service attendees to give money.
They might offer counseling but are not required guides to salvation.
Cult like churches insist they are the one true way, get hold of your money. Etc. Very ungodly imo. TV pastors are out for money too. It's a business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I may have phrased it incorrectly but the general question I have given my experience with both faiths is how much do you rely on a Pastor?

I grew up Catholic and going to confession with the Priest for example to confess my sins versus praying directly to God for ultimate forgiveness.

What role should a Pastor if I continue as a nondenominational believer have in my life?

The church I most recently attended there was that pressure that if you were going to another church you were in the wrong House of God to be led to heaven.

If you prefer non-Catholic Christian, I encourage you to seek out a specific Protestant denomination that resonates with you. Given your prior experience, I think it would be safer for you to have a pastor who has received professional training, is subject to oversight, and operates within ethical and professional rules. All the big mainstream churches have that. Many of the nondenominational ones don't.

To your actual question - ministers are similar to professors. They are educated in spiritual matters and they have seen your situation many times over, so their guidance holds weight, but they are just human and therefore not perfect nor always right.

[Anonymous]

Quakers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm Muslim not Christian but obviously a relatable matter for all abrahamic religions. I don't get people who can rely on pastor/Imam for a connection with God. They have their value but its limited and anyone but YOU can make you a spiritual person. Imho being kind to God's creatures is the only way for inner peace and whatever "salvation" us humans are searching for. I feel like in the end, pastor/Imam are just professionals earning their living. They are more about organized religion and rituals than true spirituality. Just my 2 cents, your mileage may vary.

Bruh no. Christianity invented that "die and go to heaven" bit and Islam copied it. There is nothing "Abrahamic" about going to heaven.

[Anonymous]

OP, you discovered that your birth religion was a scam. Why are you rushing to find a slightly better scam? Walk away and join in love with humanity in this world that exists, not a dream of a different world.

[Anonymous]

Please confirm that you're out of that fraudulent organization, OP. You were scammed for years. This is not God's church. You are free to pick any number of honest denominations of Christianity (or other religions). Why pick an actual financial scam?

An honest priest will help you live your life as a good person of faith, but they are not indispensable to salvation or enlightenment.

[Anonymous]

Try attending services at various churches. Not over Easter those are crowded but just regular Sundays. Most welcome visitors. Just observe the ministers.
See what they do, what the messages are.
It's to give contrast from the --sorry but it is-- cult like one true way church you are familiar with.
A normal church will welcome you but not a lot of pressure on someone "visiting the area."