Pastors, Preachers, Bishops, Reverends, and Priests

Richard Hollerman

We are living in a time of mass confusion in the religious world. Numerous people and churches don’t know what to believe regarding leadership and they are grasping for answers. Either that, or they really care little or nothing regarding what their people believe and practice regarding these positions. Those who really do want to know God’s will concerning these works are few and far between.

What does the Bible teach regarding these positions and just who are they according to God’s revealed Word?

Bishop

The first position that we might want to examine is that of a “bishop.”  This is a common term in Scripture and it actually comes from episkopos, meaning “overseer.” Sadly, by the second century, the term was misused. It refers to a person who was a male (not a female) who “oversaw” the people in an assembly. Notice especially Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 2:25. Since we are not particularly discussing the qualifications for the “overseer” here, we’ll not make a Biblical study of the term.

Elder

We know that some are under the misapprehension that an elder is the same as a preacher, but in Scripture these are two different positions. (A “preacher” can be young whereas an “elder” is older.) The term “elder” is from presbuteros, meaning “elder” or an older man. See particularly Acts 20:17; 14:23; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:5; James 5:14. Although the term literally means “an older man,” the position is that of a man who is older but who is mature in his position or relationship with others also.

Minister

This term (Greek, diakonia) is also used regarding the “deacon” in a congregation (1 Timothy 3:12-15). It is different from the overseer but both the overseer and the servant (diakonos) are found in the assembly (see 1 Timothy 3:1-15 and Titus 1:5-9). We must observe that the “minister” is not another name for the preacher or proclaimer. See Acts 6:1; Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:5.

Evangelist

This term, from the Greek euangelistes, means a “preacher of the gospel” (Acts 21:8; Ephesians 4:11; 2 Timothy 4:5). It is seldom used but does have a useful purpose.

Rector

This is a word that is particularly found in the Catholic Church, the Episcopal Church, and the Anglican Church. Some of our readers may not be familiar with it. Technically, it refers to “one who directs” and is not found in the New Testament. The “rectory” is a house provided for the “rector.”

Parson

Again, this is not a Biblical term, but it refers to a “rector” or “clergyman” (or, today, a “clergywoman”). The “parsonage” is a house that is provided for the parson.

Clergy

The English term “clergy” is from a term meaning a “cleric.” He is an “ordained” person who performs “sacerdotal” functions. The usual term is “clergyman” but today it is sometimes transformed into a “clergywoman” if a woman has been installed. Of course, it has no place in our parlance.

Preacher

The preacher is a “herald” or one who proclaims God’s truth to others. It comes from kerux and is one who proclaims the good news or “gospel” of Christ. See especially 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:11.

Pastor

This is a term from the Greek poimen, a “shepherd” over the sheep. The people, or Christians, or the congregation, would be likened to sheep in a sheepfold and the “shepherd” watches, cares for, and feeds these sheep. (Ephesians 4:11; Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:1-2.) These “shepherds” are actually the “elders” who are “overseers” in the flock or over the flock of God.

Reverend

Of course, this term is not even found in the NT. It is found in Psalms but has nothing to do with being an overseer. Actually, it is somewhat prideful and surely not Biblical. It is often used in Protestantism and Catholicism.

Priest

This would have been an important word in the Old Testament economy, but today it is used of every saint. The term, hiereus, refers to every child of God. For instance, Christians are part of the “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9) and a “holy priesthood” (v. 5). We are “priests” of our “God and Father” (Revelation 1:6). It shouldn’t  be used of a special class of people who are over others in God’s family.

Teacher

This is a common term that is from the Greek didaskalos, meaning who teaches. In our studies, we might look at Acts 13:1; 1 Corinthians 12:28, 29; Ephesians 4:11; Hebrews 5:12; James 5:1. Although it would refer to one to teaches in the assembly, it would not at all be a synonymy for the preacher.

Saint

This term would not at all be one used for a leadership position but it is one that is applied to every child of God in the New Testament. (Not as in Catholicism and Orthodoxy such as “Saint” Andrew, “Saint” Paul, or “Saint” Anne.) Every Christian would be a believer and all together, they would be called “saints.” See Colossians 3:12; and Hebrews 3:1. (See also the New Testament letters.)

Believer

This term hasn’t been used regarding a special class of saints, but it has been used (rightly) of the one who “believes” in Christ as the Scripture presents Him. In other words, every child of God is called a believer (see Acts 5:14).

These are a few of the terms that are used of God’s people in the New Testament scriptures. We might particularly notice that “bishop” is used of those who “oversee” God’s people. Further, the “overseer” is always found in the plurality in the new covenant writings and not in the singular (as is often done today). In other words, each assembly (if it was larger and growing) had overseers (plural) rather than an “overseer” ( singular). Further, it is important for us to remember that these men (the males—there were no female overseers) were the same as the elder and shepherd—and not three different positions in the assembly.

Denominations are totally confused today regarding these different functionaries. They not only have misconceived the positions but they are also confused regarding the terms that the Holy Spirit inspired writers of the New Testament to employ.

We find that various denominations or churches use different terms for different positions. Many Protestant churches use “minister” and others use “pastor.” Sometimes they use “priest” and at other times they may use “clergyman.” In the church of my background, they often referred to the “pastor” as “reverend,” hence, “Reverend Jones,” or “Reverend Smith.” Presbyterians may use “presbyters” (elders) for their leaders and sometimes we have heard “elder” used in churches, such as “Elder Jones” even though “elder” was never intended to be a title. “Pastor” is often used as a title, such as in “Pastor Smith.” As we said above, we find all of this very confusing and even unbiblical.

May we learn and do differently!

You might want to check the following:

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. W. E. Vine.

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary.

Random House Webster’s College Dictionary.

Word Meanings in the New Testament, Ralph Earl.

The New Analytical Greek Lexicon, Wesley J. Perschbacher

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, Walter Bauer, William F. Arndt, F. Wilbur Gingrich, Frederick W. Danker.