In that respect, all Christians should be “ministers” of the gospel. These complementary roles of service were designed by Christ to lead all members to serve God according to their abilities (Eph. It is the case, however, that many preachers labor in congregations in cooperation with pastors/elders, as did Timothy and Titus. And Paul indicates that there may be elders who devote themselves full-time to the work of teaching the Word (1 Tim. The apostle Peter was both a preacher and elder (1 Pet. They may function as a pastor/elder as well, if they are qualified. Ministers, or preachers of the gospel, primarily work in the study and teaching of the Word (1 Tim. Less than ideal circumstances never justify unscriptural arrangements in church matters - any more than a lack of water justifies sprinkling as an alternate form of New Testament baptism.īy considering these New Testament passages, we conclude that all pastors are ministers (i.e., servants), but not all ministers are pastors. The Lord’s plan is for qualified men to serve together over a single, autonomous congregation. Neither can a congregation delegate one man to be the sole church manager, regardless of the unanimity of vote or the crises at hand. No one man can assume the role of “the pastor,” whether by title or by practice, for a congregation.

The modern-day “pastor” system is as much a departure from the New Testament pattern of church organization as is an ecclesiastical hierarchy. Westcott observed, “From a consideration of these passages it is evident that there was not as yet a recognized ecclesiatical hierarchy” (62). 3:1-7 Titus 1:5-9), and they serve in a plurality over a single congregation (Titus 1:5 Acts 14:23 1 Pet. When other passages are considered, we learn that pastors, bishops, or elders must meet scriptural qualifications (1 Tim. These words describe a man who is older and experienced in the faith (i.e., an elder) a person who is a decision-maker, manager of church affairs, and leader (i.e., bishop) and one who maintains a careful watch for the spiritual needs of all the members of the flock (i.e., a pastor). These terms - elder, bishop, and pastor - are used of the same service in the church. We observe how the words “bishop” and “elder” are interchangeable in another passage as well - Titus 1:5-6. This exhortation is addressed to “the elders” (1 Pet. Likewise, Peter instructs these servants to “act like shepherds” as they “oversee” the flock of God (1 Pet. to all the flock” as “bishops” (i.e., overseers or administrators). In Acts 20:28, Paul identifies those who are to “take heed. Vine defines as, “to act as a shepherd” (427).įrom these verses we learn that pastors are to act like shepherds by caring for the flock, and this care includes teaching.īut a closer look at these verses will demonstrate that the responsibilities for pastors involve more than teaching. Similarly, in 1 Peter 5:2, Peter encourages these servants by saying, “Tend the flock of God.” The word “tend” is again the verb poimaino, which W. Note in this verse that the church is called “the flock.” They are to do all the things that a shepherd would do for a flock. Pastors feed, tend, and protect the church.

Here, however, he uses the verb form of the word, which is translated “to feed” (ASV) or “to care for” (ESV).

In Acts 20:28, Paul again refers to pastors. Pastors (i.e., shepherds), as they care for the flock, are also teachers. Kent writes, “Pastors and teachers are named as one grammatical unit (by use of just one article in the Greek text)” (72). The expression “pastors and teachers” identifies a single group. He intends for “pastors and teachers” to serve in the church. In Ephesians 4:11, Paul discusses various roles that Christ placed in the church. Three verses in the New Testament include the word “pastor” (in various forms): Ephesians 4:11, Acts 20:28, and 1 Peter 5:2. Is the term “Pastor” a proper title for ministers of the gospel?

Pastor meaning