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by Ezzy on December 29th, 2006

Ezzy

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What's the difference between a minister and a pastor? assuming there is a difference

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  • by Anonymous on December 29th, 2006

    Anonymous

    I think different churches choose to call their specific church's religious leader by a different term, but I don't think that changes their job description at all.

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  • by Schaddo on April 1st, 2009

    Schaddo

    A pastor is an elder, whereas a minister is just a preacher.

    If we look at God's word here it says that the difference is a pastor is a man who holds an office, which he must have certain qualifications, for that are set forth in Titus and 1 Timothy. A pastor is an elder. The Greek word for pastor is "poimain" which means shepherd. In Titus 1:5 it says to appoint elders in every city, then in verse 7 it calls them overseers which is where we get our word pastor from. In Acts 20:28, Paul is talking to the elders (vs 17, Greek "presbuterous") and he says "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers (shepherds, or pastors), to shepherd (or pastor) the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." Here we see that a pastor is an elder.

    1 Timothy 3:1-7 says "if any man aspires to the office of overseer..." here we learn that overseer is an office within the church. The term pastor, elder, overseer, shepherd, and bishop all refer to the same office. They provide oversight of the church.The preacher or minister is under the oversight of the elders.

    Titus 1:5-9 gives the same qualifications. I will list the qualifications below:

    1.) Must be a man. "if any man aspires to the office of overseer..."

    2.) He must be above reproach.

    3.) He must be the husband of one wife.

    4.) Temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, and able to teach.

    5.) Not addicted to wine or pugnacious.

    6.) Gentle and peaceable.

    7.) free from the love of money.

    8.) He must be a father (He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity...)

    9.) Must not be a new convert.

    10.) He must have a good reputation with those outside the church.

    Acts 14:23 - Notice there also is never just one elder, there is always an office of elder-ship. Acts 15:4 note elders, it's plural.

    All elders are to preach and teach, but not all preachers (ministers) are elders (pastors.)

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