QUESTION: Is there any problem with applying the term “pastor” to ministers of the local church?
ANSWER: In the New Testament the descriptive word “pastor” (which is identical to our word “shepherd”), in both its noun and verb forms, when used of church leaders, is used only of the elders of the church. The verb (poimainō) is also used once for the apostle Peter (John 21:16) and several times for Jesus (Matt. 2:6; four times in Revelation). It is used for elders in Acts 20:28 and 1 Peter 5:2. The noun (poimēn) is used mostly for Jesus (John 10:11ff.; Heb. 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25), and only once for a church leader: Ephesians 4:11.
In Ephesians 4:11 this task is distinguished from that of the apostles, prophets, and evangelists; and it is linked to the task of teaching. In other places in the NT the elders are the leaders who are responsible for teaching (1 Tim. 5:17; Titus 1:9; implied in Acts 20:28ff.). Nowhere is the language of shepherding (“pastoring”) used of a leader similar to our modern-day “pastors” or senior ministers.
Speaking of “minister,” this is a translation of the common NT word diakonos, which simply means servant and is used of all Christians. In a few places it seems to refer to those who have been given special duties in the church, or what we call “deacons.” See Philippians 1:1 and 1 Timothy 3:8ff. When it is translated “minister,” that is not an attempt to establish our modern-day role of preaching (senior) minister.
The term “evangelist” is one form of the word for “gospel” (euangelion), and its verb form, euangelizō, which means simply to preach or to preach the gospel. The noun that is translated “evangelist” (euangelistēs) is used only three times: Acts 21:8; Ephesians 4:11; 2 Timothy 4:5. This could also be translated just “preacher,” and of the three terms it is probably closest to what we think of today as “the minister” of a local church (sometimes called the “preaching minister”).
In reality, though, it is difficult to identify any specific NT word as being equivalent to what the role of “preaching minister” has developed into today. As long as these tasks are being accomplished, we need not get too worked up over the terminology. I am pretty adamant, though, about reserving the term “pastor” (i.e., shepherd) for the elders. (For the record, my preference is to call the preaching minister “Brother Smith” or “Brother Tim,” and to address all other Christian men in the same way.)
Is it biblical for a fulltime minister to be the vice chairman of the board of directors at the same time? from canada
By “board of directors,” do you mean board of elders? If so, I see no problem with this, as long as the minister meets the qualifications for elder and has been selected to be one of the elders by the congregation.
not board of elders But board of directors who represent the church to the govertment for legal purposes
The article is good.It is worth pondering. To be called “Pastor” or not to be called “Pastor” does not matter. What matters each one of us love and respect one another regardless of culture, color and creed. All of us are God’s creation and we are all under His Sovereignty. As for me, it is better to follow the Lord’s counsel saying, “… and you are all brethren.” [Matt. 23:8].Hence, I am comfortable to call each one in the community as “Brother” or “Sister”. And of course, in my family I call my children by their nicknames, and they call me “Dad”. I call my wife as “Honey”.
Jesus thought it mattered and specifically told us not to use these terms, Pastor, Rabbi AND teacher. He is our only pastor, rabbi and teacher. These people should be reffered to as Brothers and Sisters. It surprises me how many people choose to ignore His word on this.
Amen
I have preferred minister to pastor through the years but I agree that preacher would be the most welcome title if you HAVE TO use a title. The only time I’ve really heard others use that term is from my preacher teacher Dr. Dick Brown of Nebraska Christian College or other fellow – uh fellow – ministerspreacherspastorsevangelists.
Different parts of our country tend to use certain titles more often. In Minnesota almost all called me pastor. But as I arrived in Concordia, Kansas I found Pastor Jeff Nielsen on shiny little brass plaques on my office doors.
What I really prefer is for people to simply call me Jeff. If all Christians are the priesthood of believers then we are all preachers. Are we not? I’ve discovered a really good way for helping people call me simply by my name. When they say “Hey, Pastor (or other title) Jeff.” I simply say “Hey Grocer Rod – Hey Farmer Allen – Hey Coffee Barista June” They soon start calling me Jeff.
I have preferred minister to pastor through the years but I agree that preacher would be the most welcome title if you HAVE TO use a title. The only time I’ve really heard others use that term or other preaching ministers is from my preacher teacher Dr. Dick Brown of Nebraska Christian College or other fellow – uh fellow – ministerspreacherspastorsevangelists.
Different parts of our country tend to use certain titles more often. In Minnesota almost all called me pastor. Here in Kansas I arrived to find Pastor Jeff Nielsen on shiny little brass plaques on my office doors.
What I really prefer is for people to simply call me Jeff. If all Christians are the priesthood of believers then we are all preachers. Are we not? I’ve discovered a really good way for helping people call me simply by my name. When they say “Hey, Pastor (or other title) Jeff.” I simply say “Hey Grocer Rod – Hey Farmer Allen – Hey Coffee
Barista June” They think that’s kind of weird and start calling me Jeff.
Mr. Cottrell,
Sometime when you get a chance, would you please let me know what you think in regards to a Christian, an Elder or a Deacon drinking alcohol. I recently had a discussion with a friend (who is a preaching minister) on this subject and he told me he didn’t drink alcohol, but he saw nothing wrong with someone drinking as long as they didn’t drink excessively. He even went on to say that he believed that Jesus drank alcohol based on Mathew 11: 18,19 and Luke 7:33,34. I have always appreciated and respected your Biblical knowledge and would like to know how you would address this with him? THANKS!
Thank you for the article. It is well written. I serve in a small congregation with folks coming from different denominational backgrounds. I’ve been called to preach, teach and assist in the leadership of the body. I am an elder with two other fine Christian men. Having said all this, I am George. My function is not who I am. I don’t stop existing because I stop preaching, teaching or leading.
I like your post. This is why I like “Brother” as a word of address, and not just for “the preacher.” “Brother” is not a function, but a relationship that is part of who we are as Christians.
There are two reasons why I believe this is a non-issue.
1. To quote above: “It is difficult to identify any specific NT word as being equivalent to what the role of ‘preaching minister’ has developed into today.” With that said, it would seem appropriate to call this person any biblical word that describes their function, i.e. minister (which is a transliteration of a Greek word), pastor, teacher, elder, evangelist. All describe various functions of the role. It could be argued that “brother” is as non-biblical as pastor since we don’t see that term used either. To be clear, I don’t have an issue with any of the above terms.
2. Many in the Christian Churches use 1 Timothy 5:17 to promote paying the “preaching elder.” If it is ok to use this verse to promote paying what we today call minister or preacher why then would it not be appropriate to call this person pastor, which as you said, means shepherd?
We use the phrase “in essentials unity, in non essentials liberty and in all things charity.” However, I believe that this issue, as well as other ‘non-essentials’, are sometimes seen as tests of fellowship. I have been accused of being a ‘false teacher’ by a recent group only based on this issue; not my belief in baptism for remission of sins and reception of the Holy Spirit, not my view on the authority of scripture, etc; simply based on a term which is arguable, at best, in the scripture.
In a smaller Church the minister is usually the one, for lack of qualified or willing leaders, to do the shepherding, the calling, the teaching and the preaching. In these instances, it seems Biblical to have him be the preaching pastor, worthy of the “double honor” that Paul speaks about. It is a paid pastor or paid elder concept. I believe in more conservative churches we shy away from doing that because if we did, he would be on the same level as an elder. It has been my experience that when this is not the case, there is friction over the roles that each performs because we give a man a lot of responsibility with very little authority. He must then either submit to the local leaders having a role to play were he has more responsibility than anyone else in the church but really no authority. Or, as I have heard and seen many times, he rebels and sits himself up as a lead pastor , which I believe is unscriptural too. Seems the best way to handle it is to have him be equal spiritually with the elders and follow the “paid pastor” concept. This way he not only can cast a vision but have a say in the direction of the church too. After all, he usually has more at stack than the ones who have lived there all their lives, i.e. moving his family, changing churches, burdens of spiritual and often financial nature too. I have not experienced that system fully but I have seen it make for the smooth operation and growth of many churches.
I voiced my feelings about the CBS when there 1954 to 1959 about the class “pastoral” theology. No one listened.
“The Minister” in the sectarian church does not exist in the N.T. Neither did the little 3 point sermon. Christians taught each other, Colossians 3:16.
Every Christian who proclaims or preaches the good news to one or more who are ignorant of it is a preacher. Acts 8:4 They that were scattered abroad PREACHED the gospel.
Jack, we do love and appreciate you. Like Timothy we are (all of us) to preach the word. Not to pay someone to tell us over and over what we know.
Someone said the average service is lik a UK basketball game with 10 guys on the floor who need a little rest and 25,000 in the bleachers who need a little rest.
We need to consider 1st Corinthians 14 on how to meet fir mutual edification.
Your thoughts ?
Excellent points. I have always believed this. We go to the New Testament church to find our direction and yet…ignore certain precepts of our current choices. I don’t believe the early church looked for some title of honor for leaders. Yes, periodically we hear of the apostle Paul. Do we here of elder so-and-so?? The catholic church ushered in levels of honorable titles. It seems modern day churches want the same or better respectability. Elders were appointed in every city…elders…because their were numerous house churches in need of leaders. Were they called elder smith? Or were they simply recognized as fulfilling a role. Sure people respected them…but if that respect became expected or sought then a danger set in. Elders were spiritual leaders and teachers of their churches. But, this did not mean they did all the teaching. There were teachers, and people who came through with reports from other areas, like the Apostles. Also, Corinthians seems to indicate there was more of a discussion in the church meetings. An occasional sermon is great…but…there needs to be an open forum also. We have cowered to the catholic system of silent participation while one man, a sort of priest, is the only one trusted to bring the word of God. There is a great lack of discussion and sheep mentality. I love my preaching friends and do not find fault with their hearts for God’s people but… Elders were not business men with no spiritual teaching or leading ability. Too many churches made the mistake of putting popular men of the world into these positions. There is the temptation for these men to sit with arms folded as judges who doing nothing more than running business meetings with a tacked on short prayer. It is interesting that we train up young men in the word and skills to lead to church, but then they are positioned as hirelings who have little actual spiritual authority. These men are elders. If they are young they should be mentored until they mature to a degree. All of this is not to criticize those in leadership with good hearts and good intent. I love my brothers in the churches. It is the system that should be “restored”.
Years ago, Eddie Groover wrote an article for the Christian Standard, “Has Your Church Been “Pastorized?” If I recall correctly, his conclusions were the same as yours.
Well done and the greek words do identify the preacher yet the most important part is that we get the ministry or serving accomplished.
I agree Dr. Cottrell and I have struggled with this question for some time. But, I do not know what Paul expected elders (pastors), whom he told the evangelist Timothy to appoint, to do. Did that include “preaching?
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I was disappointed in this article because it did not seem to answer it’s own title question: Is it Biblical? Well, I guess it did sort of answer it in a genteel way. It seemed to say, “Technically” it is not Biblical, but if tasks are accomplished, it is not worth getting worked up over…but the author is “adamant” about proper use of the word pastor. I guess the Title question was answered, but the sub question, “Is there any problem with it?” remained unanswered. Biblical, no, but is it wrong? Is there a “problem” with it? And if so, why?
I can handle calling the one holding the office of “preacher” being called “minister”. But for most churches, that person is the one who is the primary “shepherd” hence, it would seem quite fitting to call them “pastor”. What I really don’t understand is calling each other “brother”. You wouldn’t refer to your sibling by a title such as that. To call each other by the title, makes them one step away from what my brother is. No, I can respect your opinion, but I sure hope you don’t get bent out of shape that I call those who know me better than my siblings, and understand me more than my siblings simply by their given names, rather than a title.
I really enjoy these insights provided by Dr. Cottrell-reminds me of my CBS days;-) My husband has adopted the name, ‘Preach’, to give people a handle or idea of his position as a minister of the gospel. It in no way encompasses the scope of his work but it seems to help to identify him.
Sounds like a good creative approach.