Pastor or Preacher: Harmless
Misunderstanding?
It is all too common for preachers in a non-Catholic church to be referred to as pastor. The problem
with this terminology is it contrary to the will of God. According to the Bible, a pastor is not the same as a
preacher (Eph. 4:11). Several terms are used in the New Testament to describe the work of a pastor: overseer
(Acts 20:28), shepherd (1 Pet. 5:1-2), bishop (Titus 1:5, 8), presbyter (1 Tim. 4:14), and elder (Phil. 1:1). God
never uses these terms to refer to the preacher, who has a separate work as proclaimer of God’s word (2 Tim.
4:5).
Some will ask, “So what? Where’s the harm in calling the preacher the pastor? That’s what he does—
he sees to the spiritual needs of the congregation. So why should it matter if he is referred to by the same term
as an elder? Aren’t you being too picky in making an issue out of this?”
Let us open God’s word to answer these questions.
1. God says the work of a pastor is a qualified position (1 Tim. 3:1-7). Among other things, he is to be
married, with children who are in submission to him. For those who say the preacher is the pastor,
or have all sorts of pastors for various ministries, are you respecting God’s will in permitting these
men to serve as single or fatherless men? How does that arrangement compare with the pattern
set forth by God for overseers?
2. God says a plurality of pastors must oversee a church (Acts 14:23). Every example of elders,
bishops, and shepherds in the New Testament has more than one overseer at a congregation
(Acts 20:17; Phil. 1:1). Those who say one pastor may oversee the work of the church are going
beyond the word of God (1 Cor. 4:6).
3. God says the elders of a congregation have equal, yet limited authority. Namely, “Shepherd the flock
of God which is among you, serving as overseers” (1 Pet. 5:2). No elder in the New Testament
had more authority than another elder, nor did one group of elders oversee multiple churches at
one time. Each elder was to work with his fellow-pastors in overseeing the church that was among
them.
Ironically, most non-Catholic churches condemn the position of the pope and dismiss his universal rule
over churches. However, churches that view their preacher as the pastor are in the same boat of error. The
only time a man may be called a preacher and pastor is when he meets the qualifications and duties of each
role (1 Tim. 5:17). Otherwise, God does not permit a preacher to be a pastor any more than any other member
may oversee the church. To take a position that God has limited in qualification and work, and apply it to
another position, is to add to and take away from the word of God, which is never a harmless act (Rev. 22:1819). 
Mike Thomas
Standing Firm,
May 2014