Pastors

We know the term, "pastor." It refers to that guy in front of our church who leads the congregation. Interestingly, that is not quite what Scripture means by it. If you look through the New Testament, you'll find a variety of terms. Paul speaks of "pastor-teachers" in Ephesians 4:11. Now, in the NASB, "pastors" appears only once. In some translations it doesn't appear at all (like the ESV). If the "pastor," who is our primary leader, doesn't appear more than once in the New Testament, why are we leaning so hard on it in our churches? There are, then, other terms used. Paul wrote to Timothy (1 Tim 3:1-7) about selecting "overseers" (in modern translations; "bishops" in KJV). The word he used there could be translated "supervisor" as well. (Can you see, in English, how "overseer" and "supervisor" are the same thing?) But when Paul wrote to Titus about appointing people in Crete for the same role, he used a different term. That was "elder" (Titus 1:5-9) (and, interestingly, translated as "bishops" in the KJV there, too). The term simply refers to older men. (Paul gives further qualifications; "older" is not the only requirement.) (Side note: The term in 1 Timothy is our source for "Episcopalians" and the term in Titus is our source for "Presbyterian.") So these "overseers," these "elders" -- always a plurality -- are to make up the leadership of local churches.

"Hang on," you (or I) might ask, "so what's with this 'pastor' thing?" I'm glad you (I) asked. In 1 Peter 5, Peter addresses the topic of how elders should lead.

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. (1 Peter 5:1-3)

Peter tells the elders to "shepherd the flock." Interesting. That word, "shepherd," poimainō, is the same basic word as poimēn. The former is what Peter wrote -- "shepherd" -- and the latter is what Paul wrote -- "pastor." That's because the two are the exact same concept. In fact, the ESV translates Paul's poimēn in Ephesians 4:11 as "shepherds." Same thing. You see, then, that there is, biblically, an equivalence between "elder" and "shepherd" or "pastor." Now, hold that thought. Note that Peter says that their job is "exercising oversight." Can you guess what word that is? That's the same basic word Paul used in his letter to Timothy for "overseer." So in a single sentence, here, Peter has linked "elder" with "pastor" with "overseer." Biblically, in terms of church leadership, the concepts are interchangeable. Before we leave this, look at the job of the "elder/shepherd/overseer." Not under compulsion, but willingly. Not for getting rich, but eagerly. Not for dominating others, but by example. (Consider how many church leaders give church a bad name by violating one or more of those.)

It is important to consider, then, the biblical version of "pastor." He's not a "good preacher" or a "good administrator." It certainly doesn't preclude them, but the focus in Scripture is being ... a good shepherd. The task of a shepherd is to tend, guide, feed, and guard a flock of sheep. When Jesus told His famous story of the shepherd with 100 sheep who lost one and went off to find it (Luke 15:4-7), He spoke of shepherd as intensely personal. It is an involvement in the lives of the members of the flock for feeding, disciplining, guiding, encouraging, and protecting. "A good preacher" is a good thing, but it is only one thing -- only a beginning. Nothing in there about "Bible college" or "seminary". In fact, the entire divide between "clergy" and "laity" isn't really found in Scripture. We made that one up ourselves. One final consideration. Peter wrote to various churches in that letter and specifically spoke to "the elders among you." The "flock," then, has its own task. Support the shepherds. Encourage them. You know what they're supposed to be doing; help them do it. "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you" (Heb 13:17). We have a job, too.