{"product_id":"9780996114806","title":"The Pastors' Club","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis book challenges pastors to step down from their exalted position and return to the New Testament form of local church leadership by a council of elders-men whose character, not their gifts or degrees, qualify them to lead God's family on earth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt takes a tortured twisting of the words of Jesus and his disciples to defend the professional positions of today's clergy. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe division between the \u003ci\u003eclergy\u003c\/i\u003e and the \u003ci\u003elaity\u003c\/i\u003e violates the teachings of Jesus and the practice of the apostles. Jesus did not appoint one of his disciples over the others. After his resurrection, none claimed such a role. Neither Jesus nor his disciples was a member of the religious hierarchy or a trained scholar. Yet he entrusted to them the mission of carrying the good news to the whole world. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAmerica needs a family, yet our churches look like any other corporate organization or political government. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eThe Pastors' Club\u003c\/i\u003e, author Paul S. Lyon provides an analysis of the teachings of Jesus and his disciples demonstrating that only elders are called to collectively pastor and oversee the local church. A single local leader-pastor, bishop, priest, or even chief elder-has no basis in scripture.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"LYON BOW PRESS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47024328474864,"sku":"9780996114806","price":11.23,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9780996114806_p0.jpg?v=1763901842","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9780996114806","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}