What Is a Pastor?

Three verses in the New Testament include the word “pastor” (in various forms): Ephesians 4:11, Acts 20:28, and 1 Peter 5:2.

In Ephesians 4:11, Paul discusses various roles that Christ placed in the church. He intends for “pastors and teachers” to serve in the church. The expression “pastors and teachers” identifies a single group. Homer A. Kent writes, “Pastors and teachers are named as one grammatical unit (by use of just one article in the Greek text)” (72). Pastors (i.e., shepherds), as they care for the flock, are also teachers.

In Acts 20:28, Paul again refers to pastors. Here, however, he uses the verb form, which is translated as “to feed” (ASV) or “to care for” (ESV). Pastors feed, tend, and protect the church. They are to do all the things that a shepherd would do for a flock. Note in this verse that the church is called “the flock.”

Similarly, in 1 Peter 5:2, Peter encourages these servants by saying, “Tend the flock of God.” The word “tend” is again the verb, which W. E. Vine defines as, “to act as a shepherd” (427).

From these verses, we learn that pastors are to act like shepherds by caring for the flock, and this care includes teaching. But a closer look at these verses will show that pastors' responsibilities extend beyond teaching.

In Acts 20:28, Paul identifies those who are to “take heed ... to all the flock” as “bishops” (i.e., overseers or administrators). Likewise, Peter instructs these servants to “act like shepherds” as they “oversee” the flock of God (1 Pet. 5:2). This exhortation is addressed to “the elders” (1 Pet. 5:1).

We observe how the words “bishop” and “elder” are interchangeable in another passage as well — Titus 1:5-6. These terms — elder, bishop, and pastor — are used to refer to the same service in the church. 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).

When other passages are considered, we learn that pastors, bishops, or elders must meet scriptural qualifications (1 Tim. 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. 5:1-2). B. F. Westcott observed, “From a consideration of these passages it is evident that there was not as yet a recognized ecclesiatical hierarchy” (62).

The modern-day “pastor” system is as much a departure from the New Testament pattern of church organization as is an ecclesiastical hierarchy. No one man can assume the role of “the pastor,” whether by title or by practice, for a congregation.

Neither can a congregation delegate to a single person the role of sole church manager, regardless of the vote's unanimity or the crises at hand. The Lord’s plan is for qualified men to serve together over a single, autonomous congregation. Less-than-ideal circumstances never justify unscriptural arrangements in church matters, any more than a lack of water justifies sprinkling as an alternative to New Testament baptism.

By considering these New Testament passages, we conclude that all pastors are ministers (i.e., servants), but not all ministers are pastors.

Ministers, or preachers of the gospel, primarily work in the study and teaching of the Word (1 Tim. 4:15-16; 2 Tim. 4:2-5). They may also serve as a pastor or elder if qualified. The apostle Peter was both a preacher and elder (1 Pet. 5:1). And Paul indicates that there may be elders who devote themselves full-time to the work of teaching the Word (1 Tim. 5:17).

However, many preachers labor alongside the elders in congregations, as did Timothy and Titus.

These complementary roles of service were designed by Christ to lead all members to serve God according to their abilities (Eph. 4:12). In that respect, all Christians should be “ministers” of the gospel. Working together with preachers and elders, the whole congregation can grow according to the Lord’s plan.