Expert: Ernie Laurence, Jr. - 3/25/2010

Question
Hi Ernie, I have been a member of The Church for over 30 years. I have always heard Bro this or Bro that when addressing the minister. Here lately in a LOT of congregations, most ministers are calling refering to themselves as pastors. What qualifies a minister to be consider a pastor as well?

Answer
Hey Patty.

Interesting question.  I say that because there are two ways to answer it.

1.  I would hypothesize that the majority of preachers who allow others to call them "pastor" or even insist on it are from liberal congregations made up mostly of people too ignorant to know better and a few people who just want to be like the denominations of the world.  And by "liberal congregation" I mean congregations who are in error by trying to be more like the denominations of the world and less like the church we see defined in scripture.

2.  The only correct way that a preacher can be called a pastor requires a bit more study.  First of all, the word "pastor" or "shepherd" comes from the Greek word "poimen".  The Greek word "episkopos" is translated as bishop or overseer and the Greek word "presbuteros" is translated as presbyter or most commonly elder.  All three words are used, when referring to Christ's church, to refer to different aspects of the same office.  The pastor/shepherd/poimen aspect is that of protecting and feeding a flock (local congregation).  The bishop/overseer/episkopos aspect is that of ruling and authority within the confines of scripture.  The elder/presbyter/presbuteros is about experience and wisdom to guide.

A preacher (minister - the guy doing the sermons from the pulpit on a regular basis) CAN be a pastor/bishop/elder IF he meets the requirements set forth in 2 Tim. 3:1-7 and Titus 1.  But just because a man is a preacher does not automatically make him a pastor.  That is purely a denominational perspective and one not found in scripture.

I'll give you an example.  My family just recently started a new congregation in Hutto, TX.  My dad was an elder at the congregation we were members of before we decided to start work in this new mission field of my home town.  He resigned and is now just a member at Hutto.  I am the main preacher there.  However, I am not qualified to be an elder.  For one thing, I don't believe I'm mature enough yet for the job.  Plus, my twins are only 5 months old and not faithful Christians, nor do they have the capacity to be.  I cannot be a pastor as the Bible uses that word.

I hope that answers your question.  If I need to clarify or if you have any other questions, please ask.

In Truth and Love,

Ernie