How must you consult with your church chief? Most of us use the time period pastor, however some use the time period elder and even bishop. In case you are confused by these completely different denominational phrases you aren’t alone. A bishop is usually equated with Catholic or Jap Orthodox church buildings, though Anglican and some Lutheran church buildings additionally use the time period. The time period elder is usually related to the Mormon church and the younger males you meet in ties in your entrance porch, although extra evangelical church buildings are using the time period elder now. For most individuals, the time period pastor is an easily-recognizable time period referring to the non secular chief of a church.
The Biblical Proof
So far as private historical past, I grew up in a Baptist church that had a pastor, an assistant pastor, and a deacon board that made church management selections. It was not till highschool that I used to be launched to the thought of elder. I started to check what the Bible needed to say about church management, and what I discovered was fairly a bit completely different that what most church buildings apply.
The Time period Elder within the Bible
The phrase for elder (presbuteros, πρεσβύτερος) is the commonest NT time period in reference each to leaders of the Jewish group (e.g., Matt 15:2) in addition to the church (e.g., James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1). Elder is usually a generic reference to an older man (1 Tim 5:1), and due to the truth that age implies knowledge (cf. Job 12:12), it’s a pure management time period.
The Time period Bishop within the Bible
The phrase for bishop (episkopos, ἐπίσκοπος) is used considerably lower than elder (10x complete). Due to the unavoidable connotations of the phrase bishop, this phrase is often translated as overseer by fashionable English translations. In distinction to the thought of elder, the phrase for bishop/overseer communicates the function or duty of oversight, very like we consider the function of a guardian.
The Time period Pastor within the Bible
The phrase for pastor (poimen, ποιμήν) merely means shepherd. Though not used as a lot as elder, it’s utilized in vital passages which describe church leaders (cf. Eph 4:11; Acts 20:28; 1 Pet 5:2). It’s used largely within the verbal type, placing the stress on act of shepherding.
Pastor, Elder, Bishop: One Workplace, Three Roles
Though many denominations create hierarchical constructions by using a few of these phrases, I’d argue that, in line with Scripture, the three phrases elder, bishop/overseer, and pastor develop into interchangeable and consult with the identical particular person. Three passages particularly display this.
In Acts 20:17-38 we see an exquisite reunion between Paul and the elders of the church of Ephesus (20:17). Whereas speaking to the elders of Ephesus, Paul reminds them that God has made them bishops/overseers (Acts 20:28a), and their process is to shepherd (“to take care of,” ESV) the church of God (Acts 20:28b). Thus, all three phrases: elder, bishop/overseer, and pastor are used to consult with the identical group in Acts 20.
Equally, 1 Peter 5:1-2 information Peter’s directions to the elders of the church. They’re to shepherd the flock (5:2a), and train oversight (5:2b). Once more, Peter makes use of all three phrases to explain the function of the elder within the church.
Lastly, Titus 1:5-9 describes the {qualifications} of an elder (cf. 1 Timothy 3:1-7). In Titus 1:5 they’re broadly launched as elders, however in Titus 1:7 the person is described as a bishop/overseer. Once more, the phrases appear to be interchangeable.
I believe the visible illustration of how these passages work collectively is nicely represented by Colin Smothers’ Ven diagram.
In distinction to the difficult hierarchies of some denominations, if we pay shut consideration to the biblical knowledge, I’d suggest that the phrases elder, bishop/overseer, and pastor consult with the identical workplace of church chief and are interchangeable. The time period elder emphasizes the final nature of church management being certainly one of maturity and knowledge, the time period bishop/overseer references the perform of the church chief being one who oversees the church, and the time period pastor (i.e., shepherd) refers back to the technique or course of by which the chief leads the folks of God.
So what must you name your church chief? Be at liberty to name him bishop, or pastor, or elder. They’re technically all one in the identical.
