“The church is not a democracy in which we have chosen God, but a theocracy in which He has chosen us.”
E.M. Bounds
In the past few years, headlines concerning pastors have caused us to slow down and think with gravity about the state of the church in general, and the office of pastor in particular. Here are just a few:
Mark Driscoll, the former Mars Hill Church pastor known at one point as “the cussing pastor” was charged with abusive behavior by twenty-one former pastors of the church.1
James MacDonald, the former pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel, was charged with felonies for allegedly assaulting a woman over parking, and was fired from his church for a "substantial pattern of sinful behavior". There were even controversies related to financial management including buying a volkswagon for a pop-religious figure using church funds.2
Matt Chandler, lead pastor of a megachurch near Dallas, acknowledged a significant "fall from grace" after the confrontation of a church member concerning an inappropriate relationship. This coupled with accusations of neglect in dealing with sexual abuse has led to substantial concern for some in his church.3
James Merritt, Former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and Pastor of Cross Point Church outside Atlanta, GA resigned from a Southeastern Seminary post involving the training of pastors and teachers after his public praising of his publicly gay son's preaching. Accusations of a “pyramid scheme” by the Federal Trade Commission, telling racist jokes, etc… leave many concerned.4
Ed Litton, former President of the Southern Baptist Convention and pastor of Redemption Church in Saraland, Alabama, was embroiled in a plagiarism scandal. A YouTube video montage showed Litton repeating word-for-word segments from a sermon by J.D. Greear, Pastor of Summit Church, in Durham, North Carolina. Following the outcry, more than 140 sermon videos were made unavailable on the Redemption Church YouTube page. In addition to the plagiarism accusations, there were questions raised about theological problems in Litton’s church, particularly his interpretation of sexual sin where homosexuality appears accepted at some level.5
We live in an age where we recklessly glamorize religious figures and minimize the authority and sufficiency of scripture. If we are to preserve the testimony of the church and be good stewards of the teaching of God’s Word as He demands, it will require much attention and careful application of the truth we find to turn these trends around.
Christ is the Head of the Church
It is impossible to overstate this: Christ is the head of the church. The church is Christ’s church (Matthew 16:18). All authority in the church is His (Matthew 28:18). As Paul said, "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body." (Ephesians 5:23) He “gave” to the church, among other things, “pastors” (Ephesians 4:11): He calls them (1 Cor 12:28); he puts desire in their hearts to serve (1 Timothy 3:1); he appoints them (Acts 20:28); and he equips them (1 Corinthians 12:7-11); He confirms them to the churches (Acts 14:23), and further, He calls for their accountability in His churches(1 Timothy 5:19-20). One day Christ will hold them accountable personally (Hebrews 13:17, James 3:1). “And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all” (Eph. 1:22-23 ESV) Neither the Pastor, the pope, elders, deacons, boards of directors, trustees, any of the thousands of committees, nor any other group or person is the head of the church. Christ is the head of the Church.
The only authority a pastor has is the specific authority entrusted to him as a steward. It is not his authority, and the church is not his church. The qualifications, functions, and assignments are set by Christ. So before we put our heads on the pillow of our traditions, or before we recklessly monkey around with this role, we really need to examine what He has said about it. Christ's appointment of these roles is pivotal for a church seeking health, vitality, and blessing.
What then is a Pastor?
The Baptist Faith and Message 2000, a consensus of Southern Baptist beliefs, gives some clarity for the local church: "Its two scriptural offices are that of pastor/elder/overseer and deacon," summarizing the longstanding view of church offices. This perspective aligns with the 1689 Baptist Confession which asserts,
"A local church, gathered and fully organized according to the mind of Christ, consists of officers and members. The officers appointed by Christ are overseers or elders, and deacons."6
He holds an Office
The word Paul uses is translated as "office" in 1 Timothy 3:1. This added English word carries the implication present in the original language indicating this is a formal assignment, in this case, as an “overseer.” As Grudem explains: “A church officer is someone who has been publicly recognized as having the right and responsibility to perform certain functions for the benefit of the whole church.”7 We still refer to roles in which people are appointed to an “office”. A governor may act in a way that is a disgrace to his office. A police officer is appointed by the public to a position he holds for the common good. The office of the president has suffered greatly in our generation.
The words pastor, elder, and overseer are all used in the New Testament to describe this one office (see Acts 20:17–31, where the terms are used interchangeably). However, in Baptist circles, the word “pastor” is by far the most common word used. Al Mohler, a key figure in crafting the Baptist Faith and Message, explains that "pastor" was chosen for its widespread recognition among Southern Baptists as denoting pastoral teaching leadership. For background, Mohler explained:
“it is important to know that the [BF&M, 2000] committee sought to identify the one word about the pastoral role that Southern Baptists would best understand. As Dr. [Adrian] Rogers stated and the committee concurred, the one word that virtually all Southern Baptists understand is the word ‘pastor.’”8
Since God has chosen to use these words, we should be careful about their indiscriminate use so we don’t cause confusion about the issue. These words mean something, and it will be for the edification of the whole.
He is an Elder
The concept of elder focuses on the character of the man more than his age. The Greek word “presbuteros” conveys the idea of a wise, mature leader who is honored and respected by those of the community by virtue of the integrity of his life. Elders are to feed, nurture, and lead the church in the ways of God (Ephesians 4:11; 1 Peter 5:1-4). You will see this word in denominational references like “Presbyterian”. Presbyterian churches are overseen by internal and external presbyteries (bodies of elders).
He is an Overseer
The other primary name for this role is the term overseer(or bishop). The Greek word for overseer, episkopos looks more to the work of the individual whose duty it is to provide “oversight” and leadership to the congregation. The efforts of watching over with special reference to being present and managing. He actually sees, and he actually guides.9 (This may also discourage the shepherding of multicampus works if an overseer is not present and can’t see.) The Episcopal Church derives its name from this language functioning under a structure of overseers.
The appointment of this role in the church clearly depicts some hierarchy of responsibility. Epi means above, and skopos means to see. An overseer is the same word as super-visor in Latin. When you go to work, try to discern the meaning as your “manager” explains a task, calls on you to perform a task, or brings correction on the performance of it.
He is a Pastor
Then there is the word pastor (poimen). This word means shepherd—literally, one who is responsible for the care of sheep. It speaks to his genuine concern for the welfare of the flock entrusted to him. These sheep don’t belong to him, yet he cares for them as if his own, or at least as one who gives an account. In the New Testament, the metaphorical use of "shepherd" reflects qualities of guidance, care, and leadership, as exemplified by key Old Testament figures. Jesus is often portrayed as the descendant of King David, drawing parallels to David's role as a "shepherd king," which aligns with messianic expectations. The Patriarchs — Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — were literal shepherds, with their shepherding symbolizing the guidance of their families and, by extension, the nation of Israel. These Old Testament references, both literal and metaphorical, underscore the shepherding imagery that resonates through the New Testament, particularly in the roles and responsibilities of a pastor embodying care, guidance, and leadership within the local church.
Three Words, One Role
The use of these words overlaps in the epistles. Although some have wrongly built elaborate hierarchies out of the nomenclature (mainly drawing from tradition and extrabiblical thought), in scripture the words “elder”, “overseer” and “pastor” are used interchangeably (Titus 1:5-7; Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:1-2; Ephesians 4:11).
In Acts 20:17-28, Paul speaks to the elders of the Ephesian church and refers to them as overseers (bishops) and shepherds (pastors), suggesting these terms are interchangeable or at least closely related in their roles.
Titus 1:5-9 and 1 Timothy 3:1-7 provide qualifications for elders and overseers, and the similarities in these qualifications suggest these roles were closely aligned or possibly the same.
In 1 Peter 5:1-2, Peter exhorts the elders (presbyteroi) to "shepherd" (poimaino, related to "pastor") the flock of God and to exercise oversight (episkopeo, related to "overseer"), giving a clear convergence of these roles in the function of church leadership.
This overlapping usage indicates that, in the early Christian communities, the focus was more on the function and responsibilities of leadership rather than on a rigid title—the emphasis was on guiding, teaching, protecting, and caring for the church community regardless of the specific title used. Together, these descriptions clearly depict the status of his role: he is an elder speaking to his maturity, he is an overseer speaking to responsibility, and he is a shepherd which depicts his care. Whether a church has one pastor or a body of elders, the role is the same.
The pastor/elder/overseer is appointed by Christ and accountable to Him. This helps us understand what Paul meant when he said, "he who desires this role, 'desires a great work'" (1 Timothy 3:1). It is great in responsibility, great in reward, great in challenges, and great in accountability. Recognizing the pastor's crucial role in guiding and nurturing the flock, let us not take their presence for granted. Let us offer unwavering support through prayer, active participation in church life, and genuine care for their well-being. By fostering a collaborative and supportive environment, we can empower our pastors to fulfill their calling and together strengthen the body of Christ.
10 Study Questions:
1. Christ is the head of the church—the pastor is the _______ of the church. (Choose from: leader, steward, owner, or servant)
2. According to the article, what is an “office”?
3. Why is it important to understand the role of the pastor as described in the passage? How can this understanding impact the relationship between the pastor and the congregation?
4. The three main words used in the Bible to describe the pastor's role are __________, __________, and __________.
5. How can a church ensure that its pastor(s) are qualified for their role, as described in the passage?
6. Investigate the qualifications for becoming a pastor in your own church.
7. The word "overseer" in the Greek language literally means "_______" and "_______".
8. The passage states that the pastor's responsibilities include all of the following EXCEPT:
(a) Equipping the congregation for ministry. (b) Exercising discernment in church governance. (c) Leading in corporate worship. (d) Managing the church's investments.
9. How can a congregation support its pastor(s) in their role and responsibilities?
10. What personal qualities and characteristics do you think are most important for a pastor to possess?
https://religionnews.com/2014/08/22/mark-driscoll-charged-allegations-21-former-mars-hill-pastors/
https://religionnews.com/2023/04/13/james-macdonald-former-harvest-bible-pastor-charged-with-felony-assault-and-battery/
https://www.newsweek.com/matt-chandler-pastor-church-leave-american-evangelicalism-1737923#:~:text=Matt%20Chandler%20Is%20Latest%20Fall,evangelical%20megachurch%20near%20Dallas
https://capstonereport.com/2021/11/30/scandal-plagued-james-merritt-resigns-as-visiting-professor-at-sebts/37304/;
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2014/05/ftc-settlement-bans-pyramid-scheme-operators-multi-level-marketing
https://www.newsweek.com/pastor-ed-litton-compared-nixon-plagiarism-battle-rages-southern-baptist-convention-1606688#:~:text=Litton%20had%20been%20accused%20of,copied%20word%20for%20word%20without
https://www.the1689confession.com/1689/chapter-26, Paragraph 8, 9
Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, Second Edition. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020), 1115.
https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/first-person-a-statement-regarding-the-baptist-faith-message-and-the-word-pastor/
A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. (ἐπισκοπή)