When most religious people hear the term pastor, they often envision the primary leader of a congregation—a single man responsible for preaching, teaching, and overseeing all church functions. This concept, known as the pastoral system, is a man-made structure found in many denominational and non-denominational churches today. However, the question we must ask is: Does the Bible define the term "pastor" in this way?
As students of God’s word, it is crucial that our understanding and usage of biblical terminology align with scripture. What does the Bible actually teach about pastors?
Biblical Definition of a Pastor
The term pastor comes from the Greek word poimen, which means shepherd. This word appears 18 times in the New Testament, but is only translated as "pastor" once, in Ephesians 4:11 (NKJV):
"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers."
From this passage, it is clear that pastors are distinct from evangelists—they are not the same role. The term "pastor" refers to those who shepherd God's flock, which aligns with other biblical designations such as elders, overseers, and bishops.
The Bible provides clear qualifications for a man to serve as a pastor (elder/shepherd), found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. These qualifications include being the husband of one wife, having faithful children, being blameless, and able to teach, among others. If a man does not meet these qualifications, he is not a pastor, regardless of what title he or others may claim.
The Importance of Using Biblical Terms Correctly
Some may ask, "What’s the big deal? Why does it matter what we call church leaders?" The answer is simple: It matters to God. The apostle Peter emphasizes the importance of speaking as the oracles of God in 1 Peter 4:11 (NKJV):
"If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God."
If we desire to be faithful to God's word, we must ensure that our language and church practices align with biblical teaching. Misusing terms leads to misunderstanding God’s design for church leadership and allows man-made traditions to replace biblical truth.
Applying This Understanding
Is my preacher a pastor?
Only if he meets the biblical qualifications of an elder (pastor) and serves as one. Simply being a preacher does not make a man a pastor.
Are my elders my pastors?
Yes. According to 1 Peter 5:2, elders are instructed to "shepherd the flock of God", which is the very definition of pastoring.
How should we refer to those who preach the gospel?
The Bible provides three scriptural terms for a man who preaches but is not an elder:
Preacher (1 Timothy 2:7)
Minister (2 Corinthians 3:6)
Evangelist (2 Timothy 4:5)
By adhering to these biblical distinctions, we avoid the confusion and corruption caused by denominational traditions. Instead of following man-made systems, we must strive to restore the church to its New Testament pattern, using biblical terms in biblical ways.
Is Your Practice Rooted in God’s Word?
God’s word is clear. The term pastor refers to elders (shepherds), not preachers or evangelists. The widespread misuse of this term in denominational and non-denominational churches has led to misunderstandings of church leadership and has replaced biblical structure with human tradition.
As 2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV) urges:
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Let us be diligent in rightly dividing the word, calling things by their biblical names, and upholding the truth of God's design for His church.