Is the preacher the pastor?
Introduction. The denominational world commonly practices the "pastoral system." The local preacher is the pastor or overseer. Thus, you will often see "...John Doe, Pastor" on informational signs and in ads.
The teaching of the New Testament. God desires that His church have leaders. These leaders are designated by three different Greek words (presbuterion, episcopos, and poimen). From these three words we have six English words: elders (Tit. 1: 5), presbytery (1 Tim. 4: 14), overseer (Acts 20, 28), bishop (1 Tim 3: 1), shepherd (1 Pet. 5: 2, 4), and pastor (Eph. 4: 11). These terms are used interchangeably to identify the same class of men (see 1 Pet. 5: 1-4, Gk. text). These men had certain qualifications to meet (1 Tim. 3: 1-7; Tit. 1: 5-11). Among these requirements, they had to be married and have children (1 Tim. 3: 2, 4, 5).
A pastor can be a preacher (recognized and supported). There are preachers who meet the qualifications and who have been ordained by the local church to be pastors or elders. Peter was a shepherd (pastor) and a preacher (1 Pet. 5: 1 ff., see also 1 Tim. 5: 17, 18). Paul and Timothy, while they were preachers were not pastors (They were unmarried, etc.). Another thing to notice and compare is the fact that pastor, elder, bishop, etc, were not used as titles( The King James translators realized this and did not capitalize these words in translation.). Religious titles, as such, are forbidden (Matt. 23: 6-12). Also, you do not read about "the Pastor." There were always a multiplicity of pastors or elders (Acts 14: 23, etc.).
The function of preaching has been shamefully reduced in many ways. Not only have men been considered pastors who obviously are unqualified, but the work of the preacher generally has been lowered to entertainment and placation. He has become a social worker and political peace keeper (see 2 Tim. 4: 1-5).
The teaching of the New Testament. God desires that His church have leaders. These leaders are designated by three different Greek words (presbuterion, episcopos, and poimen). From these three words we have six English words: elders (Tit. 1: 5), presbytery (1 Tim. 4: 14), overseer (Acts 20, 28), bishop (1 Tim 3: 1), shepherd (1 Pet. 5: 2, 4), and pastor (Eph. 4: 11). These terms are used interchangeably to identify the same class of men (see 1 Pet. 5: 1-4, Gk. text). These men had certain qualifications to meet (1 Tim. 3: 1-7; Tit. 1: 5-11). Among these requirements, they had to be married and have children (1 Tim. 3: 2, 4, 5).
A pastor can be a preacher (recognized and supported). There are preachers who meet the qualifications and who have been ordained by the local church to be pastors or elders. Peter was a shepherd (pastor) and a preacher (1 Pet. 5: 1 ff., see also 1 Tim. 5: 17, 18). Paul and Timothy, while they were preachers were not pastors (They were unmarried, etc.). Another thing to notice and compare is the fact that pastor, elder, bishop, etc, were not used as titles( The King James translators realized this and did not capitalize these words in translation.). Religious titles, as such, are forbidden (Matt. 23: 6-12). Also, you do not read about "the Pastor." There were always a multiplicity of pastors or elders (Acts 14: 23, etc.).
The function of preaching has been shamefully reduced in many ways. Not only have men been considered pastors who obviously are unqualified, but the work of the preacher generally has been lowered to entertainment and placation. He has become a social worker and political peace keeper (see 2 Tim. 4: 1-5).