Question:
What is the difference between a pastor and an evangelist?
Answer:
The words “pastor” and “evangelist” are often used interchangeably in our culture. Yet, if we understand the terms by their New Testament meaning we will know they refer to two separate roles and offices in the New Testament church.
The term “pastor” is only found one time in the New Testament (Ephesians 4:11). It comes from the Greek word POIMEN, which according to Strong’s Concordance means, “a shepherd (literally or figuratively):--shepherd, pastor.” In this case, it uses the term “shepherd” or “pastor” in its metaphorical or figurative sense. Obviously, the “pastor’s” job is not to literally go out and herd and feed sheep. Instead, it refers to the teaching, maintaining and protection of Christians.
By looking at a few passages, we realize that a “pastor” is another way of describing the office of an “elder” or “bishop.” In Acts 20, the “elders of the church” at Ephesus are called together (20:17). They are called “overseers” and their role includes shepherding (20:28).
Thus, in this passage we see the three concepts of this office used together. A pastor is the same as an elder and an elder is the same as an overseer or bishop (see also 1 Peter 5:1-2). The reason three separate terms are used is because each term describes a different aspect of this office. An “elder” refers to the experience and age involved in this office. A “bishop” is a term meaning “overseer” and refers to the oversight involved in this position. A “pastor,” as mentioned, brings to mind the shepherd.
Now, there are several reasons why evangelists should not always be called pastors.
First, there was to be a plurality of “elders” in every church (see Acts 20:17; Titus 1:5). Thus, a church was not to operate with only one pastor—while it could have one evangelist.
Second, elders were to meet certain qualifications. These qualifications were not the same as those required of evangelists (see 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). For example, an evangelist can be single but an elder/pastor cannot (1 Tim. 3:1-2; 1 Cor. 7:7)! An evangelist is under no requirement to have children, an elder must have “faithful children” (Titus 1:6). An “elder” should be experienced, an evangelist can be young, like Timothy (1 Tim. 4:12).
Third, a pastor was to take heed to himself
and the flock (Acts 20:28). However, the preacher takes heed to himself
and his teaching (1 Tim. 4:16). There is a difference in these two
roles.
Please use these Bible words in Bible ways in pleasing Him!
March 2007