Two weeks ago, we wrapped up the question—what function do individual church members serve in the church and the community? Today, we move on to a new question that some have regarding the New Testament church—how should church government function? This question is important because of the many misconceptions in Christendom regarding it.

To understand it, we must first look at some of the misconceptions believed by many people, such as calling their preacher a pastor. This is perhaps the widest believed misconception concerning church government because most denominations, except the Catholic church, refer to the preacher in this manner. There are many Scriptural problems with this.

Google defines pastor as “a minister in charge of a Christian church or congregation.” This is how most of Christendom views pastor, but it is not how the Bible defi nes the office of a pastor. The Greek word poimēn which is translated “pastor” is also the same Greek word translated “shepherd” and refers to the biblical offi ce of the eldership when used in reference to church government.

Notice the usage of a form of poimēn (pastor) in Ephesians 4:11. “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.” In this verse, the offices of evangelist and pastor are separated, because they are different roles within the church. Luke refers to the offi ce of eldership as the poimēn. “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28).

Earlier, Luke records that the elders were assembled together and that Paul spoke to these men. “From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. And when they had come to him, he said to them: ‘You know, form the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you’” (Acts 20:17-18). It was this group of men whom Paul instructed to “take heed to yourselves and to all the fl ock” (Acts 20:28). It is also important to note that this offi ce is never referred to in the singular case; it always refers to a plurality of men. In Acts 20:17, Paul gathered the elders of the church at Ephesus. In Acts 20:28, Paul spoke to the overseers. Peter wrote to “the elders who are among you” (1 Peter 5:1). It is prudent to note that poimēn only refers to a single individual when talking about the Chief Shepherd—Jesus. “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away” (1 Peter 5:4).

This is not to say that the local preacher cannot be a pastor if he meets all the requirements set forth in First Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 but that his office is not that of a minister in charge of a Christian church but as the mouthpiece of God proclaiming the Word and teaching the truth, as the young minister Timothy was charged by Paul. “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Tim. 4:1-2).

The offices of pastor, overseer, and elder all refer to the same office in the church and are made of a plurality of men who are worthy of double honor because of their labor (1 Tim. 5:17). As ministers, we need to be careful that we do not take this honor upon ourselves who are not qualifi ed for the position, because the elders will have to give an account for the souls that are charged to them. “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you” (Heb. 13:17). You don’t want that responsibility if you are not qualifi ed.

Just something to consider.