Clergy & Priesthood

IFCA International affirms the office of pastor/elder as a biblically mandated office held exclusively by qualified men. The pastor is a shepherd, teacher, preacher, and overseer appointed by the congregation to lead in worship, proclaim Scripture, provide pastoral care, and oversee doctrinal integrity. The pastor is not a priest offering sacrifices or serving as an intermediary between God and the people; rather, the pastor is a servant leader under Christ, the head of the church.

All believers constitute the priesthood of believers, having direct access to God through Christ without need of human intermediaries. Every Christian is a priest unto God with the right to approach God directly through prayer, worship, and the study of Scripture. The official office of pastor is distinct from and not necessary for the priesthood of each believer, yet it is essential for the order and health of the congregation.

Pastors must meet biblical qualifications: they must be spiritually mature, above reproach, apt to teach, hospitable, and of proven faithfulness. Female ordination is categorically rejected based on the biblical prohibition against women teaching authoritatively in the church (1 Timothy 2:12). This is understood as a transcultural principle, not a cultural accommodation. Women have vital roles in the church but not in the official pastoral office.