You’ve probably heard me say several times - “Let the Bible define its own terms.”  When we start to define the Bible’s terms for it, we begin to get ourselves into trouble. 

Unfortunately, society has defined and re-defined a number of terms found in God’s inspired record.  One example of such is the word, “pastor.”

     A few weeks ago, I was featured in the “Just Folks” section of the newspaper.  In the first line of that article, I was introduced as “pastor at the Sallisaw Church of Christ.”  I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve answered the phone and heard the words,

“Is the pastor there?”  I’m certain that these folks mean no harm and do not realize the erroneous way in which they are using the term.  Unfortunately, it is primarily utilized

with a denominational definition rather than a scriptural one.

     The word “pastor” occurs only once in the New Testament (in the KJV).  In that one occurrence it is found in the plural form in Ephesians 4:11 - “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers” (emp. add.) The term “pastors” is translated from the Greek word “poimen” which, according to Strong’s Concordance means, “a shepherd.”  This Greek word, “poimen,” occurs in 17 other verses in the New Testament.  In every one of those other verses, it is translated as “shepherd(s)” (in the KJV).  The verb form of this same Greek word is translated as “to feed” in Acts 20:28.  Notice, this is the specific responsibility of the “overseers.”  Who are the overseers?  To answer that question, we simply need to look at the context of Paul’s words.  Notice, verse 17 tells us that he “...called the elders of the church” (emp. add.). 

In accordance with the scriptural organization of the church, the shepherds (overseers) are indeed the elders.  The terms “elder” and “pastor” (and “bishop”) are synonymous.  They are the authority with the local church.  Unfortunately, the denominational world has long since abandoned the scriptural pattern of organization for the church.  While doing so, they have redefined some of the terms found in the scriptures.

     I am not an elder within the Lord’s church.  Therefore, I am not a pastor.  It is important to note that Ephesians 4:11 distinguishes between “evangelists” and “pastors.”  I am an evangelist (i.e. preacher - Rom 10:14, 2 Tim 4:2; minister - which means servant - Eph 6:21, Col 4:7).