Thoughts from Pastor Toney

Unrepentant Sin, Division, and the Health of the Church

Part 2 of 3

The Bible does not encourage separation quickly, but it also does not ignore it when someone refuses to repent. Scripture shows that church discipline is meant to protect and restore, not just serve as a leadership option.

Today, many people think love means tolerance, but the New Testament teaches something more difficult. If sin is not addressed, it harms both the person and the whole church.

Sometimes, the most caring thing to do is to set a clear boundary.

The Difference Between Struggle and Rebellion

Before the Bible talks about separation, it makes an important difference.

The Bible does not discipline people for struggling with sin.

It disciplines people for refusing repentance.

Every Christian faces struggles. Growing in faith takes time. Simply failing is never a reason for someone to be removed.

The Bible speaks about ongoing, stubborn, and unrepentant behavior, especially when someone says they follow Christ but refuses to accept His authority.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

—1 John1:9 (CSB)

Discipline is never directed at those who confess.

It is meant for those who refuse to repent.

Unrepentant Sin Must Be Addressed

Paul gives the clearest instructions from the apostles on this topic.

“But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister and is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or verbally abusive, a drunkard or a swindler…

Remove the evil person from among you.”

—1 Corinthians5:11–13 (CSB)

Key clarifications:

• Paul is speaking to the church, not society.
• This applies to those who claim to follow Christ.
• The problem is not just sin, but sin that is unrepentant and combined with pretending to be spiritual.

Paul is not worried about appearances. He cares about true integrity.

If a church openly says it follows Christ but quietly allows rebellion, it gives a false message about the gospel.

Why Scripture Is So Serious About This

Paul uses a strong example to show the danger.

“Don’t you know that a little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough?”

—1 Corinthians5:6 (CSB)

If sin is not dealt with, it does not stay hidden. It changes the church’s culture, what people expect, and how sensitive they are to spiritual things.

What starts as tolerance can eventually become seen as normal.

Once something is seen as normal, people may start to defend it.

Discipline is not just about one person. It is about the spiritual health of the whole church.

Divisive Behavior: Not all harm in the church is obvious or looks immoral. Some of the most damaging actions are about relationships and beliefs.nal and ideological.

The Bible says that ongoing division needs a strong response.

“Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning.”

—Titus3:10 (CSB)

A divisive person is not someone who asks questions or expresses concerns. It is someone who:

• Repeatedly undermines leadership
• Sows distrust
• Creates factions
• Refuses correction
• Prioritizes being right over being unified

Division breaks trust and takes attention away from the mission of the gospel.

Unity Is Not Optional in Scripture

The New Testament always values unity. This does not mean everyone is the same, but that everyone is committed to following Christ together.

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

—Ephesians4:3 (CSB)

When someone keeps refusing peace, correction is needed. This is not because unity is weak, but because it is important and holy.

False Teaching Requires Clear Boundaries

Truth is important because what we believe affects how we act.

The apostles repeatedly warn churches not to tolerate teaching that contradicts the gospel.

“Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching you learned. Avoid them.”

—Romans16:17 (CSB)

“If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or welcome him.”

—2 John10 (CSB)

The church should be welcoming, but it should not allow harmful teachings.

Accepting false teaching in the name of love is not real compassion. It is actually neglect.

Discipline Protects the Individual, Not Just the Church

The Bible never describes discipline as just a rule or policy.

“No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”

—Hebrews12:11 (CSB)

Sin that is not addressed can fool people.

Discipline helps stop that deception.

Sometimes, separation is what someone needs to realize the truth and face reality.

Why Avoidance Is Not Loving

Avoiding confrontation might seem kind, but the Bible teaches something different.

Staying silent can seem like approval.

Waiting too long can look like not caring.

Tolerating something can seem like giving permission. Biblical love speaks up, even when it is difficult.

A Necessary Tension the Church Must Hold

The Bible asks us to keep two truths in mind at the same time:

• Discipline without love becomes cruelty.
• Love without discipline becomes deception.

The church should avoid both extremes.

Preparing for Part 3

Discipline Without Harm: What the Bible Forbids and Why Restoration Should Always Be the Goal

In the final part, we will address:

• How discipline is often abused
• What the Bible explicitly forbids
• How to restore without shaming
• Why restoration must be as intentional as correction

Why Love, Holiness, and Restoration Must Be Held Together

Part 1 of 3

Few topics make modern Christians more uncomfortable than church discipline. In a culture formed by individualism, self-governance, and fear of offense, the idea that a church might ever ask someone to step away from fellowship feels unloving—even unchristian.

But Scripture tells a different story.

The Bible does not describe the church as a group of independent spiritual consumers. Instead, it shows the church as a family, a body, and a holy people called to represent Christ in the world. In a real family, loving correction is part of caring for each other.

Church discipline is not about exclusion.

It is about restoration through truth.

The Church Is Not a Crowd—It Is a Covenant Family

The New Testament never describes the church as a casual association. Believers are joined together through Christ into something greatly deeper.

“You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household.”

—Ephesians2:19 (CSB)

A household implies:

• Shared values
• Mutual responsibility
• Accountability
• Care for one another’s spiritual well-being

In healthy families, love does not ignore destructive behavior. It addresses it.

Ignoring sin is not compassion—it is neglect.

Why Discipline Feels So Foreign Today

Many believers resist church discipline not because it is unbiblical, but because it has been misused or weaponized in the past.

Some have seen:

• Public shaming instead of private correction
• Leaders acting in anger instead of humility
• Discipline used to silence disagreement
• Grace withheld after repentance.

These abuses are real, and Scripture speaks against them. However, just because discipline has been misused does not mean it should never be used correctly.

When discipline disappears entirely, the church does not become safer. It becomes confusing, inconsistent, and spiritually shallow.

Jesus, Not Church Tradition, Defines Discipline

The most important truth in this conversation is this:

Church discipline did not originate with pastors or denominations. It originated with Jesus Himself.

“If your brother sins against you, go and rebuke him in private. If he listens to you, you have won your brother.”

—Matthew18:15 (CSB)

This opening line immediately reframes discipline as relational, not institutional.

The goal is not removal.

The goal is restoration.

Jesus continues:

“But if he won’t listen, take one or two more with you, so that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every fact may be established.”

—Matthew18:16 (CSB)

This step protects everyone involved:

• The person being corrected.
• The one bringing correction
• The integrity of the process

Only after repeated refusal does Jesus say:

“If he doesn’t pay attention to them, tell the church. If he doesn’t pay attention even to the church, let him be like a Gentile and a tax collector to you.”

—Matthew18:17 (CSB)

Separation is not step one.

It is the final step after persistent resistance.

What Jesus Meant by “Gentile and Tax Collector”

This phrase has often been misunderstood.

Jesus is not instructing believers to hate, mock, or discard someone. He is accepting a reality: biblical fellowship requires shared submission to Christ.

To treat someone as “outside” does not mean treating them as worthless. It signifies recognizing they are no longer walking as fellow disciples.

Interestingly, Jesus Himself loved Gentiles and tax collectors, but He never acted as if they were something they were not.

Love does not lie about spiritual condition.

Discipline Is an Act of Love, Not Rejection

Scripture repeatedly connects discipline with love.

“Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline.”

—Revelation3:19 (CSB)

A church that avoids confronting sin may seem welcoming, but it quietly suggests that transformation is not necessary.

Jesus never offered belonging without repentance.

He offered forgiveness that led to change.

Discipline Protects the Gospel Witness

The church does not exist for itself. It exists to reflect Christ.

When believers openly reject Christ’s authority while claiming His name, they distort the gospel message—not strengthen it.

“You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others.”

—Matthew5:14–16 (CSB)

Discipline protects the clarity of that light.

A Necessary Foundation for the Whole Conversation

Before Scripture ever addresses when someone may need to step away from fellowship, it establishes how and why discipline exists:

• It is slow, not sudden.
• It is relational, not reactionary.
• It is loving, not legalistic.
• It is restorative, not retaliatory.

If those factors are missing, discipline has already gone wrong.

Preparing for Part 2

When Does the Bible Clearly Command Separation?

Next, we will look directly at Scripture passages that go beyond process and give clear commands, focusing on:

• Unrepentant sin
• Divisive behavior
• False teaching
• Why tolerance can sometimes do more harm than good

There is a question worth sitting with before you read another word: When was the last time you walked into a room joyful because God used you?

Not happy. Joy and happiness are not the same thing. Happiness is circumstantial — it rises and falls with the weather, the bank account, and whether the week went smoothly. Joy is something altogether different. Joy is what the seventy-two disciples carried back to Jesus after he sent them out two by two. In Luke 10:17, they returned with an almost breathless report — even the demons submitted to them in his name. That is the kind of joy that does not depend on circumstances. It is the joy of someone who knows they have been sent, went, and watched God move.

The question is whether that kind of joy is available to ordinary believers today. The answer, according to scripture, is an unqualified yes. But somewhere between knowing that and actually living it, most of us have gotten stuck.

Sent but Still Sitting

Jesus did not send out just the twelve disciples. He sent out seventy-two. The implication is significant. The commission to go was never meant to be reserved for a select group of spiritually elite individuals. It was given broadly, to ordinary people who had been following Jesus and learning from him. And the instruction was not to wait until conditions were perfect, until they felt fully prepared, or until someone with more authority gave them permission. It was simply to go.

The pattern has not changed. Every person who genuinely follows Jesus has been sent. The problem is that many who have been sent are still sitting. They are waiting for the right moment, the right program, the right leader to organize it, the right feeling of readiness. Meanwhile, the work goes undone and the prayer board fills up with requests that never move to the answered column.

The Authority That Has Already Been Given

Luke 10:19 contains a statement that should stop every believer in their tracks. Jesus tells his followers that he has given them authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and that nothing will harm them. The word translated as authority there carries the meaning of a legal right — a judicial standing to act on behalf of someone else. In this case, on behalf of Jesus himself.

This is not a vague spiritual concept. It is a concrete reality. When the apostle Peter and John encountered a man who had been lame from birth at the temple gate in Acts 3, they did not add his name to a prayer list. Peter looked at him directly and declared that in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, he should get up and walk. He reached down, took the man by the hand, and lifted him. The man did not just stand — he leaped. He entered the temple courts walking and jumping and praising God, because two men understood the authority they carried and chose to exercise it.

The authority Peter used that day is the same authority available to every believer now. Jesus is described in Hebrews as the same yesterday, today, and forever. What he authorized then, he has authorized now. What he did through Peter, he is willing to do through anyone who genuinely belongs to him and walks in the understanding of what they have been given.

The Weapon to Go With the Authority

Authority without power is like a badge without a gun. It represents something real, but it cannot accomplish much on its own. Jesus understood this, which is why he did not simply give his followers authority and send them out unequipped. He promised them the Holy Spirit — the very power of God living inside every believer.

In Acts 1, Jesus told his disciples that when the Holy Spirit came upon them, they would receive power. The Greek word used there is dunamis — the root of the English word dynamite. This is not a gentle, quiet, barely-noticeable kind of power. It is explosive, transformative, world-altering power. And it was not given to a handful of exceptional individuals. It was poured out on all who were gathered, and it has been available to every genuine follower of Jesus ever since.

The tragedy is that many believers walk around as though they are carrying water pistols when they have been handed something far more powerful. They know the language of spiritual authority. They have heard the sermons. But when it comes to actually praying with authority, actually commanding sickness or darkness or fear to yield in the name of Jesus, they hesitate. They qualify. They add the phrase “if it be your will” as a kind of escape hatch, not as a genuine submission to God’s sovereignty but as a way of managing their own expectations in case nothing happens.

The Persistent Faith That Moves Things

Jesus told a parable about a widow who kept coming to an unjust judge with her request, refusing to stop until he answered her. The point was not that God is like an unjust judge who has to be worn down. The point was about the posture of persistent, believing prayer. She did not knock once, hear silence, and walk away. She kept coming. She kept asking. She did not stop until she received what she had come for.

That is the model for praying with authority. Not a single polite request followed by passive resignation, but a sustained, faith-filled pursuit rooted in the conviction that God hears, God moves, and God is faithful to his word. Revelation 12:11 describes believers overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. Testimony requires something to have happened. Something to have been believed for, prayed over, and received.

It Is Time to Walk in It

The authority is real. The power is available. The commission has been given. What remains is the decision to believe it enough to actually live it — to pray as though prayer matters, to speak in Jesus’ name as though that name carries weight, and to go as those who have genuinely been sent.

You have been given more than you are using. It is time to start.

There is a battle happening all around us. It is not fought with weapons or armies, but is a spiritual struggle that affects every marriage, family, church, and individual. The real question is not if the battle exists, but if we are ready to stand when it comes to us.

And it will come.

The Enemy Has a Strategy

It is risky for believers to assume the enemy has no plan. In reality, he is careful, patient, and exact. While we often react to the latest crisis, the enemy is already planning his next steps.

Consider the family. If the enemy can break up a marriage, he can influence the next generation. Children raised in the wreckage of a broken home carry wounds that, left unaddressed, become doorways for further destruction. This is not an accident. It is strategy. The enemy understands that divided families lead to divided children, and divided children lead to a divided church.

A divided church cannot stand strong against anything.

This may be the enemy’s most powerful tool against the church. When believers argue over small things like offenses, misunderstandings, or even carpet colors and Bible translations, the enemy hardly needs to do anything. The church starts to fall apart on its own. Divorce rates inside the church are now similar to those outside. Churches split over minor issues, and people watching from the outside decide they do not want what Christians have.

We Do Not Wrestle Against Flesh and Blood

Ephesians 6 makes this clear. The people who have hurt, betrayed, or left you are not your real enemy. They are people made in God’s image, either following the Spirit or being influenced by the one who wants to steal, kill, and destroy. When we start seeing people as the enemy, we lose focus and give the real enemy a win.

This truth calls for action. It means praying for those who insult you. It means reaching out to someone who left your group in anger. It means not letting a broken relationship become a lasting barrier. The enemy wins when we give up on people, but he loses when we choose to love them anyway.

When the Evil Day Comes, Stand

Ephesians 6 does not say if the evil day will come, but when. This difference is important. A church caught off guard by trouble, persecution, or cultural pressure was not ready. Preparation is active. It means spending time with Scripture and prayer every day, and honestly checking the state of your own heart.

We are living in times that past generations never imagined. The meaning of truth is changing in schools, courts, and even churches. For example, a bishop in a large city recently said from the pulpit that Jesus was transgender. Some schools ask children to join in spiritual practices from Eastern religions and punish those who do not. In 2020, pastors were arrested just for keeping their churches open. These are not distant possibilities—they are happening right now.

The church cannot respond to these times by staying silent and calling it politeness. It cannot hide behind fear of losing nonprofit status. The church must stand up and speak the truth, even when it is unpopular or comes with real costs.

The Belt of Truth

The armor of God in Ephesians 6 starts with truth, and that order matters. The belt of truth holds everything together. Without a strong hold on what is true, believers are open to every new cultural idea or religious trend.

Absolute truths do not change with popular opinion. Gravity does not change, and biology is not decided by a vote. God made one human race, not the divided groups the enemy has built over centuries. He made one church, not the many denominations we see today.

When Jesus said in John 14 that he is the way, the truth, and the life, he set the foundation for everything. Knowing the truth means knowing him. Without him, we have no anchor and can end up believing anything.

The Breastplate of Righteousness

If truth is our foundation, righteousness is our protection. The breastplate covers the chest, where the heart is. The enemy knows this and targets the heart, because a wounded heart weakens our witness.

Righteousness does not mean being perfect. It means being willing to repent. It means staying honest with God and not letting sin build up in secret. Everything hidden will eventually come to light. This is not a threat, but a mercy. Hidden sin is a weak spot in our armor, and the enemy will find it. When that happens, the harm spreads beyond just one person—it can affect children, grandchildren, neighbors, and anyone watching to see if following Jesus really changes someone.

Repenting every day is not weakness. It is the habit of someone who will not let the enemy gain ground. Repent quickly. Forgive quickly. Keep your armor strong.

The Call to Stand

The church was never promised comfort, but it was promised God’s presence. The same God who called Jeremiah to speak to people who would not listen is calling the church today to stand firm, even when the culture does not want to hear it.

This means standing for truth at home, at school board meetings, at work, and in your community. It means not backing down when it gets hard. It means joining with other believers, letting go of small disagreements, and remembering that we are one family of God, one body, one bride.

The evil day is not just coming—it is already here. The only question is whether you are ready for it.

Have you ever had a week when everything goes wrong at once? Maybe your car breaks down, bills keep coming, and something in your house stops working. Just when you think things can’t get worse, they do. If you’ve been through this, you know the feeling. In those moments, the same question always comes up: What do I do now?

The answer is actually simpler than we think. It may not be easy, but it is simple: stand.

Know Where Your Strength Comes From

Before you do anything else, before you put on armor or face any battle, you need to settle one important truth in your heart. Your strength doesn’t come from yourself. It doesn’t come from other people, things, routines, or habits. In Ephesians 6:10, Paul makes this clear by urging believers to find their strength in God and his great power.

This is not a minor detail. It’s where everything begins.

Think back to times when your life seemed to fall apart—when you lost someone you loved, got bad news from the doctor, or watched a relationship end. At first, people came by with food and kind words, but eventually, they went home. The calls slowed down, and you were left alone with your pain. What helped you get through?

If you’re honest, it wasn’t just willpower or positive thinking. It was something that came to you in the quiet, in the dark, in those early hours when you were alone. It was God.

Paul wants us to remember that this shouldn’t surprise us. God is the only one who never changes. Proverbs 18:24 says he sticks closer than a brother. He is always there, even in the middle of the night. Before you put on any armor, you need to know where your strength comes from. If you go into battle weak, the enemy will notice.

The Armor Is Not Optional

Once you have that foundation, Paul talks about one of the most famous passages in the Bible. Ephesians 6:11 tells believers to put on the full armor of God—not just the parts that feel easy or comfortable, but all of it.

The reason is so you can stand strong against the devil’s schemes.

Notice that the armor isn’t for attacking. It’s so you can stand firm. That difference matters. Many believers feel anxious and tired because they think they have to fix everything and fight every battle. But Paul makes it clear: your job is to stand. God will handle the rest.

The enemy isn’t passive. He plans carefully. He deceives, like in the Garden of Eden, by planting just enough doubt to change everything. He distracts us from what matters, accuses us where it hurts most, and tries to divide us because it’s easier to attack a group that’s not united. He can even use people we trust to discourage us. Sometimes, he doesn’t need to do anything—life just gets busy, and we drift away from God ourselves.

Do any of these tactics sound familiar to you?

The Real Enemy Is Not Who You Think

One of the most important lessons in this passage is easy to miss when you’re hurting and someone seems to be the cause. Ephesians 6:12 is clear: our struggle isn’t against other people, but against rulers, authorities, dark powers, and evil spiritual forces.

So, the person who hurt you isn’t your enemy. The coworker who made things hard, the family member who left, the neighbor who complained, the friend who betrayed you, or even a stranger who wronged you—none of them are your real enemy.

This isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a real strategy. When we spend our energy fighting people, we miss the real battle. The enemy doesn’t have to do much. He just watches as we argue, and the people who need to hear the gospel never do because we’re too busy fighting the wrong fight.

People aren’t the enemy. They’re the reason we’re here.

When Everything Else Fails, Stand

In the Old Testament, four priests carried the Ark of the Covenant into the Jordan River. God promised to stop the water, but it didn’t happen until they stepped in. Even then, they had to stand in the riverbed while the whole nation crossed. They stood there until the job was done.

That’s what we’re called to do. Not to have every answer, not to know how things will turn out, and not to always feel strong or brave. We’re called to stand firm, trusting that God hasn’t forgotten us.

Life will get overwhelming sometimes. Some weeks, everything happens at once. The enemy will look for your weak spots and try every trick. But if you know where your strength comes from, put on God’s full armor, and remember who the real enemy is, you can do what you’ve been told to do.

Stand.

Part 5: Bishop, Elder, Overseer, and Deacon: What Does the Bible Actually Say?

Ministry, Honor, and Status in the Church

Walk into different churches, and the leadership structure can look completely different.

One church has a pastor.

Another has a senior pastor and a board of elders.

Another has bishops overseeing pastors.

Another has apostles overseeing bishops.

Another has elders who govern while pastors preach.

Another has pastors, elders, overseers, trustees, and deacons, all occupying different levels of authority.

That raises an important question:

How much of this structure actually comes from the New Testament?

Churches need organization. As ministries grow, organizational structures can be useful and even necessary. Scripture tells us:

“But everything is to be done decently and in order.”

— 1 Corinthians 14:40 CSB

So having an organizational structure is not a bad thing.

But we need to distinguish between:

what Scripture actually establishes

and

what church tradition has developed.

Tradition isn’t automatically wrong.

But tradition should never be presented as a biblical command when Scripture doesn’t actually command it.

So let’s examine four important New Testament words:

Elder.

Overseer/Bishop.

Pastor/Shepherd.

Deacon.

The relationships between them may surprise us.

Elder: Presbyteros

The Greek word translated as elder is presbyteros.

The term already had a long history.

Jewish communities recognized elders as mature leaders within the community.

When the New Testament Church developed, elders became recognized leaders within local congregations.

We see this early in Acts:

“When they had appointed elders for them in every church and prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

— Acts 14:23 CSB

Notice:

Elders in every church.

Eldership wasn’t merely an honorary title given to someone because they had attended church for a long time.

Elders carried real spiritual responsibility.

Paul later told Titus:

“The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town.”

— Titus 1:5 CSB

Then Paul begins describing their qualifications.

Character.

Faithfulness.

Self-control.

Hospitality.

Sound doctrine.

Again, Scripture focuses far more heavily on who the leader is than on what title appears before the leader’s name.

Overseer: Episkopos

Another important word is episkopos.

Depending upon the English translation and church tradition, this word may appear as:

overseer

or

bishop.

The word carries the idea of someone who watches over, supervises, or exercises responsible oversight.

Paul writes:

“This saying is trustworthy: ‘If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.’”

— 1 Timothy 3:1 CSB

Notice something interesting.

Paul doesn’t say:

“He desires a noble title.”

He says:

“He desires a noble work.”

This difference matters.

Biblical leadership is work.

Responsibility.

Service.

Accountability.

An overseer is not someone who has worked their way up just to get a special title.

An overseer is someone entrusted with responsibility for God’s people.

Are Elders and Overseers Different Offices?

This is where the New Testament evidence becomes especially interesting.

Return to Titus 1.

Paul tells Titus:

“appoint elders in every town.”

— Titus 1:5 CSB

Then while describing those elders, Paul says:

“As an overseer of God’s household, he must be blameless.”

— Titus 1:7 CSB

Within the same discussion, Paul moves from elder to overseer.

This suggests these are not always two totally separate positions of authority.

The same thing happens in Acts 20.

Paul calls for:

“the elders of the church.”

— Acts 20:17 CSB

Then he tells those same men:

“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God.”

— Acts 20:28 CSB

There it is again.

They are called:

elders.

They function as:

overseers.

And they are commanded to:

shepherd.

That gives us three concepts surrounding the same group of leaders.

Elder, Overseer, and Shepherd

This pattern helps us understand New Testament leadership.

Elder —presbyteros

emphasizes mature spiritual leadership.

Overseer —episkopos

emphasizes responsibility and oversight.

Shepherd/Pastor —poimēn

emphasizes care for God’s flock.

Rather than seeing three separate levels on a chart, we might be looking at three aspects of the same kind of church leadership.

Peter gives us another example.

He writes:

“I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder… Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly.”

— 1 Peter 5:1–2 CSB

Again:

Elders.

Shepherd.

Oversee.

The vocabulary overlaps repeatedly.

So Is a Bishop Above a Pastor?

Biblically, we should be careful about making that claim.

In many later church traditions, bishop became a formal office overseeing multiple congregations and clergy.

That structure developed historically and continues in several Christian traditions today.

A denomination or church network may decide that such a structure helps provide accountability, doctrine, organization, and leadership.

Choosing that kind of structure does not automatically go against the Bible.

But saying:

“The New Testament clearly teaches that every bishop is spiritually above every pastor”

is much harder to demonstrate.

Why?

Because the New Testament word translated bishop is the same basic word translated overseer, and the New Testament repeatedly connects overseers with elders and shepherding.

The complex hierarchy developed later on.

Again:

Just because something came later does not mean it is wrong.

But if it came later, we should not claim that the Bible describes the structure exactly as we use it now.

Titles Can Change While Functions Remain

Imagine three churches.

Church A calls its leaders elders.

Church B calls them pastors.

Church C calls them overseers.

All three groups can perform nearly identical biblical functions while using different terminology.

This is why arguing a lot about titles can miss what really matters.

The better questions are:

Are they biblically qualified?

Are they teaching sound doctrine?

Are they shepherding people?

Are they accountable?

Are they protecting the flock?

Are they equipping believers?

Are they modeling Christlike character?

You might have the right title but still miss what true ministry is about.

What About Deacons?

Now we come to another important New Testament term.

The Greek word is diakonos.

Its basic meaning is connected with:

service.

Depending on context, it can mean servant, minister, or deacon.

Paul opens Philippians by writing:

“To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.”

— Philippians 1:1 CSB

This appears to identify two recognized leadership/service categories within the congregation:

overseers

and

deacons.

Paul also gives qualifications for deacons in 1 Timothy 3.

Again, character dominates the list.

They must be worthy of respect.

Not hypocritical.

Not greedy.

Holding the mystery of faith with a clear conscience.

Tested.

Faithful.

A biblical deacon was not just someone who got a title after being in church for many years.

Deacons served.

Acts 6 and the Pattern of Service

Acts 6 is frequently connected with the development of the diaconate, although the seven men selected there aren’t explicitly called deacons in the passage.

A practical problem had developed concerning the daily distribution to widows.

The apostles said:

“It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables.”

— Acts 6:2 CSB

So the church selected seven qualified men to handle the responsibility.

Notice their qualifications:

“select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom.”

— Acts 6:3 CSB

Even practical ministry required spiritual character.

Serving tables was not seen as unimportant spiritually.

That is Kingdom thinking.

No ministry is “little ministry” when it is done for Jesus.

Deacon Doesn’t Mean Second-Class Christian

Churches sometimes unintentionally create a strange hierarchy:

Member.

Deacon.

Elder.

Pastor.

Bishop.

Apostle.

It can seem like each step is a spiritual promotion.

But that isn’t how the Body of Christ works.

Paul says:

“There are different ministries, but the same Lord.”

— 1 Corinthians 12:5 CSB

Different assignments don’t mean different value.

The person who preaches is not more important than the person who serves food.

God doesn’t love the elder more than the deacon.

A pastor is not closer to Jesus just because of their title.

A bishop does not get a better version of the Holy Spirit.

There is one Body.

One Spirit.

One Lord.

Leadership Does Carry Authority

We should also avoid another extreme.

Saying leaders aren’t spiritually superior doesn’t mean biblical leadership has no authority.

Scripture clearly speaks about leaders leading.

Paul tells Timothy:

“The elders who are good leaders are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.”

— 1 Timothy 5:17 CSB

Hebrews says:

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account.”

— Hebrews 13:17 CSB

Biblical authority is real.

But notice something in Hebrews:

Leaders give an account.

Authority and accountability belong together.

The leader has responsibility for the flock.

But the leader also answers to God for how he exercises that authority.

Biblical authority does not mean having the right to control others.

It means being responsible to serve others faithfully under Christ.

Peter Specifically Warned Leaders About This

Peter told elders:

“Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”

— 1 Peter 5:2–3 CSB

That may be one of Scripture’s clearest descriptions of healthy church authority.

Not controlling.

Not greedy.

Not dominating.

Examples.

A shepherd leads by going ahead in a way the sheep can follow.

Titles Should Describe Responsibility, Not Rank

This brings us back to the larger question of this series.

Can someone be called Bishop?

Certainly, churches have used that title for centuries.

Can someone be called Elder?

Absolutely.

Overseer?

Biblical word.

Pastor?

Biblical ministry.

Deacon?

Clearly biblical.

The problem is not always the words we use.

The real danger is when these words turn into a way of ranking spiritual importance.

The New Testament always points us away from seeking status and toward taking responsibility.

The more responsibility someone has, the more accountability they have too.

Jesus said:

“Whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant.”

— Mark 10:43 CSB

That should govern every church leadership structure.

Organization Is Helpful; Spiritual Royalty Is Not

Churches need organization.

Someone has to make decisions.

Someone has to oversee finances.

Someone has to teach.

Someone has to shepherd.

Someone has to coordinate ministry.

Someone has to provide accountability.

Someone has to lead.

Disorganization is not spiritual.

But organization can become a problem when people think having authority means they are better than others.

A church organizational chart can tell us:

who is responsible for what.

It should never show us:

who matters most to God.

These are two very different things.

Jesus Is Still the Head

No matter what organizational structure a church uses, Scripture establishes one nonnegotiable position.

Paul writes:

“He is also the head of the body, the church.”

— Colossians 1:18 CSB

Jesus is the Head.

Every pastor serves under Him.

Every elder serves under Him.

Every overseer serves under Him.

Every bishop serves under Him.

Every deacon serves under Him.

Every apostle, prophet, evangelist, and teacher serves under Him.

And every organizational chart should ultimately point upward to one name:

Jesus Christ.

Don’t Be Impressed by the Title—Look at the Towel

The New Testament gives us leadership.

It gives us structure.

It gives us qualifications.

It gives us authority.

It gives us accountability.

But it does not give us permission to create a kind of spiritual royalty.

So when evaluating church leadership, don’t simply ask:

“What is this person’s title?”

Ask:

Are they qualified?

Are they serving?

Are they shepherding?

Are they accountable?

Are they protecting the flock?

Are they teaching truth?

Are they modeling Jesus?

Because even the best title in the world cannot make up for a lack of biblical character.

And someone who quietly serves without a big title may show the Kingdom more clearly than the person in the most important seat.

In the Kingdom, titles identify responsibility.

They should never establish human worth.

Coming Next — Part 6

Reverend, Doctor, Prophet, Apostle: When Are Titles Helpful—and When Do They Go Too Far?

Some titles describe biblical ministry.

Some describe education.

Some developed through church tradition.

And some are used today in ways the earliest Christians might hardly recognize.

Next, we will tackle the titles themselves directly—including Reverend, Dr., Prophet, Apostle, Bishop, and Pastor—and ask a simple question:

When does respectful recognition cross the line into religious status?

You often hear people say, “It’s all about the blood”—in church, in hymns, and in conversations with other believers. While that’s true, there’s a deeper meaning we shouldn’t overlook. If we focus only on the blood, we might miss the heart of the story.

The blood is important. The Bible makes that clear. Hebrews 9:22 says that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin. But what does the blood actually mean? What was it meant to show us?

The answer is sacrifice: someone willing to take your place.

The Animal Was Never the Point

In the Old Testament, people brought a perfect lamb to the altar as a sacrifice. Its blood was shed, but the real meaning was not in the blood itself. The power was in what the blood represented: an innocent life ended so a guilty one could continue. Something blameless took the place of someone who had done wrong.

That is the point. The whole sacrificial system was leading to this. It was not just a ritual or a religious transaction. It was about substitution.

If we see the cross only as a symbol of blood and miss the sacrifice behind it, we might say the right words but miss their true meaning. We can talk about “the blood of Christ” and feel moved, but not fully realize that a real person—fully God and fully man—chose to take the punishment meant for us.

The Weight of What He Left Behind

John 1:1 says that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God, and nothing was made without him. The one who created everything—the stars, the seas, and all living things—chose to enter his own creation and die in it. He did this for people who wanted nothing to do with him.

Romans 5:8 says it clearly: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Not after we fixed ourselves or proved our worth, but while we were his enemies, living against everything he stands for.

This is not just a fact to remember. It is an incredible act of willing sacrifice. He was not forced or caught off guard. He knew what it would cost before the world began, and he still chose to come.

Sin Is More Serious Than We Want to Admit

One reason Christ’s sacrifice does not affect us as it should is that we have downplayed what our sin really is. We compare ourselves to others we think are worse and feel comfortable. But other people are not the standard.

Romans 6:23 is clear: the wages of sin is death. Not just big sins or the ones that make the news. Any sin leads to death. One lie makes you a liar. Taking what is not yours makes you a thief. Choosing your way over God’s, even once, means you need a savior.

The cross was not too much. It was the only answer to how serious sin is. A simple apology was not enough. Something had to die. Instead of letting that be you, Jesus stepped forward.

The Sacrifice Demands a Response

This is where it gets personal. Imagine someone taking your punishment—walking into a courtroom as you are about to be sentenced and saying, “I will serve their time,” and then actually doing it. You would not leave that courtroom and forget about them. You would not keep your freedom to yourself.

And yet that is precisely what many believers do with the gospel.

Matthew 28 does not say sharing the good news is only for those who feel specially called. It is a command for everyone who has received the gift. Go. Your method does not have to be perfect. You do not need a script. What matters is willingness: an open mouth and a heart that trusts God to provide the words.

Some people in your life may never hear the message from anyone else. It is not because you are special in a proud way, but because of your unique history, relationships, and story. The sacrifice was made for them too. They just have not heard it yet.

Keep the Person in View

It is easy to talk about the blood of Christ in general terms. It is much harder, and much more life-changing, to focus on the real person. He had done nothing wrong. He was beaten, humiliated, and executed in public. He carried his own cross through the streets and was nailed to it.

He did all of this knowing your name. He knew every sin you would ever commit. He did it for his enemies, which is what we were.

The blood shows the sacrifice. But the sacrifice itself is what matters most.

This week, when you meet someone, remember that the same price was paid for them. They have the same need you once had, and maybe still have on hard days. You have something they need. The only question is if you are willing to share it.

He was willing. He showed us what true willingness is. Now it is our turn.

Part 4: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers: Titles or Gifts?

Ministry, Honor, and Status in the Church

Few passages have generated more discussion about ministry titles than Ephesians 4:11:

“And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers.”

Ephesians 4:11 CSB

Today we often call this the fivefold ministry.

Apostle.

Prophet.

Evangelist.

Pastor.

Teacher.

Some churches prominently recognize all five. Others regularly use only “pastor.” Some believe apostles and prophets ceased after the first century. Others believe all five ministries continue operating today.

Those questions matter.

But before debating who can carry which title, perhaps we should ask the question Paul actually answers:

Why did Jesus give these ministries to His Church?

Paul tells us immediately:

“equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ.”

Ephesians 4:12 CSB

That changes the conversation.

The fivefold ministry was not given to make ministers important.

It was given to mature the body.

Start With the Giver, Not the Gifts

Notice how Ephesians 4:11 begins:

“And he himself gave…”

The ministries begin with Jesus.

They belong to Jesus.

They originate with Jesus.

They exist for Jesus’ purposes.

This means nobody should manufacture a ministry identity for themselves just because they want the recognition that comes with it.

You don’t become an apostle because you change your social media profile.

You don’t become a prophet because someone prints a certificate.

You don’t become an evangelist because you hold a microphone outdoors.

You don’t become a pastor because somebody begins calling you Pastor.

You don’t become a teacher merely because you enjoy talking about Scripture.

Ministry begins with Christ’s gifting and calling.

And genuine calling eventually produces recognizable fruit.

The Purpose Is Equipping

Ephesians 4:12 may be one of the most important ministry verses in the New Testament.

Christ gave these ministries for:

“equipping the saints for the work of ministry.”

For generations, parts of the Church have unintentionally reversed this.

We have sometimes operated as though the saints exist to support the minister’s ministry.

Paul says ministry leaders exist to equip the saints for their ministry.

That is radically different.

The pastor isn’t the only minister.

The apostle isn’t the superstar.

The prophet isn’t the spiritual celebrity.

The evangelist isn’t the only person sharing the Gospel.

The teacher isn’t supposed to create perpetual students who never learn to study Scripture themselves.

The goal is an equipped Church.

A mature Church.

A functioning Church.

A Body in which every part contributes.

Apostle: Sent One

The Greek word translated apostle is apostolos.

At its basic level, it carries the idea of someone who is sent.

We must make an important distinction immediately.

A unique category of foundational apostles is associated with Christ and the establishment of the New Testament Church.

The Twelve occupied a unique historical role.

Paul also defended his apostleship based upon his encounter with the risen Christ.

Ephesians speaks of the Church as:

“built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.”

Ephesians 2:20 CSB

Foundations are laid once.

We are not continually relaying the foundation of the universal Church.

No modern apostle is rewriting Scripture.

No modern apostle possesses authority to add revelation equal to the Bible.

No modern ministry leader stands alongside Peter, John, or Paul in establishing Christianity’s doctrinal foundation.

That distinction must remain clear.

But Is Every Apostolic Function Gone?

This is where the conversation becomes more nuanced.

The New Testament appears to use apostolic language beyond simply the Twelve.

Acts 14:14 includes Barnabas with Paul in apostolic language.

Other passages also use apostolic language in ways connected with sent representatives or messengers.

So even if we recognize the unique foundational authority of the original apostles, it does not automatically follow that every apostolic function disappeared.

God still sends people to pioneer.

Plant churches.

Strengthen ministries.

Cross cultures.

Establish works.

Equip leaders.

Advance the Gospel into new territory.

The question becomes whether we should call those people “apostles.”

Faithful Christians disagree.

But one thing should be nonnegotiable:

No modern apostolic ministry has authority over Scripture.

The Bible judges the apostle.

The apostle does not judge the Bible.

Prophet: Speaking What God Gives

The prophetic ministry also requires careful handling.

Prophets clearly operated in the New Testament Church.

Agabus is one obvious example.

Acts says:

“One of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine throughout the Roman world.”

Acts 11:28 CSB

Paul also tells the Corinthians:

“Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy.”

1 Corinthians 14:1 CSB

So prophecy was not limited to the Old Testament.

But New Testament prophecy was also subject to evaluation.

Paul says:

“Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others evaluate.”

1 Corinthians 14:29 CSB

That is important.

Biblical prophetic ministry isn’t:

“I said God told me, therefore nobody can question me.”

Quite the opposite.

Prophetic words are tested.

Discerned.

Evaluated.

And Scripture remains the final authority.

“Prophet” Should Never Mean “Unquestionable”

This is where titles can become dangerous.

When someone says:

“You cannot question me because I am the prophet,”

we have left the pattern of 1 Corinthians 14.

If prophecy must be evaluated, then prophets must be accountable.

The title cannot create immunity from discernment.

Paul writes:

“Don’t despise prophecies, but test all things. Hold on to what is good.”

1 Thessalonians 5:20–21 CSB

Notice both sides.

Don’t despise prophecy.

But don’t unquestioningly accept everything either.

Test it.

Healthy charismatic Christianity doesn’t require turning off discernment.

The Holy Spirit who gives gifts is the same Holy Spirit who inspired Scripture.

Evangelist: More Than a Traveling Preacher

Paul also says Christ gave evangelists.

The word is connected with the good news, the Gospel.

Philip is specifically called:

“Philip the evangelist.”

Acts 21:8 CSB

Evangelists have a particular burden and gifting for proclaiming Christ to those who do not know Him.

But Ephesians 4 suggests something more.

If evangelists are given to equip the saints for the work of ministry, then the evangelist isn’t merely supposed to preach the Gospel while everyone else watches.

The evangelist helps the Church become evangelistic.

A healthy evangelist doesn’t just count how many people they personally reach.

They equip hundreds of other believers to reach people.

Again, the ministry isn’t centered on the minister.

It is aimed toward the Body.

Pastor: Shepherd the Flock

As we examined in Part 3, pastor means shepherd.

The pastor feeds.

Guides.

Protects.

Cares.

Corrects.

Restores.

Equips.

The title “Pastor” has become so common that we sometimes forget what the word actually means.

A person can possess the title without functioning as a shepherd.

Another person may demonstrate tremendous pastoral gifting without possessing a prominent platform.

The fruit matters more than the label.

Teacher: Building People Through Truth

Teachers help believers understand God’s Word.

They explain.

Clarify.

Connect.

Correct misunderstanding.

Build doctrinal foundations.

Help believers apply truth.

Teaching is essential because spiritual passion without biblical understanding can easily become spiritual confusion.

But teachers face a particular warning.

James writes:

“Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment.”

James 3:1 CSB

That doesn’t sound like a glamorous title.

It sounds like responsibility.

And that principle applies beyond teachers.

Greater ministry responsibility means greater accountability, not greater importance.

Fivefold Ministry Is Not a Ranking System

One of the greatest mistakes we can make with Ephesians 4 is turning the five ministries into a corporate ladder.

Teacher.

Pastor.

Prophet.

Then Bishop.

Then Apostle.

And eventually someone becomes so highly titled that ordinary believers are expected to treat them like spiritual royalty.

That isn’t what Paul describes.

Ephesians 4 doesn’t give us a ladder.

It gives us a team of equippers.

Different functions.

Different graces.

Different assignments.

One purpose:

“to build up the body of Christ.”

Ephesians 4:12 CSB

The apostle doesn’t outrank the pastor in personal worth.

God doesn’t love the prophet more than the teacher.

The evangelist isn’t spiritually superior to the person serving quietly behind the scenes.

Different functions don’t mean different values.

Paul explains this beautifully elsewhere:

“Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ.”

Romans 12:4–5 CSB

The Body needs different functions.

But every part belongs to Christ.

The Fivefold Exists to Work Itself Out of Celebrity

Think about the goal Paul gives us.

“until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.”

Ephesians 4:13 CSB

Then he says:

“Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching.”

Ephesians 4:14 CSB

Healthy ministry produces mature believers.

That means healthy fivefold ministry should actually decrease unhealthy dependence upon personalities.

The apostle equips.

The prophet equips.

The evangelist equips.

The pastor equips.

The teacher equips.

And the saints mature.

If our ministries make people increasingly dependent upon our personalities rather than increasingly grounded in Christ, something has gone wrong.

You Don’t Need a Title to Exercise a Gift

This deserves emphasis.

Someone can evangelize without putting “Evangelist” before their name.

Someone can teach without being introduced as “Teacher.”

Someone can shepherd without demanding everyone call them “Pastor.”

Someone can operate prophetically without introducing themselves everywhere as “Prophet.”

Someone can demonstrate apostolic fruit without insisting that every person address them as “Apostle.”

The ministry validates the description more than the description validates the ministry.

This doesn’t mean titles are automatically wrong.

It means titles aren’t necessary for gifts to function.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t need your business card.

Be Especially Careful With Self-Appointed Titles

Consider this whenever someone announces a new spiritual title for themselves.

“I have moved from Pastor to Bishop.”

“I’m no longer a Prophet. I’m Apostle now.”

“God has elevated me.”

Maybe God genuinely has changed someone’s assignment.

We shouldn’t automatically mock or reject what God may be doing.

But biblical ministry should make us cautious about language centered around promotion and elevation.

Jesus repeatedly moved the conversation in the opposite direction.

“Whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant.”

Mark 10:43 CSB

In the Kingdom, greater responsibility should produce greater humility.

If your new assignment requires everyone around you to acknowledge that you have been spiritually promoted, it may be worth examining what kind of promotion you are actually pursuing.

Recognition Should Follow Fruit

In Scripture, ministry was recognizable.

People knew Philip was an evangelist because he evangelized.

They knew teachers because they taught.

They recognized shepherds because they shepherded.

They recognized prophetic ministry because prophetic fruit was present.

This gives us a healthy principle:

Let fruit create recognition, not titles create expectation.

If God has genuinely called you, you don’t have to manufacture spiritual importance.

Serve.

Be faithful.

Develop character.

Study Scripture.

Love people.

Use your gifts.

Submit to accountability.

Let the Body recognize what God is doing.

Every Gift Bows to Jesus

Ephesians 4 isn’t ultimately about apostles.

It isn’t ultimately about prophets.

It isn’t ultimately about evangelists.

It isn’t ultimately about pastors.

It isn’t ultimately about teachers.

It is aboutJesus building His Church.

He gives.

He calls.

He equips.

He matures.

He is the Head.

Paul ends this section by saying:

“But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ.”

Ephesians 4:15 CSB

There it is.

Christ is the Head.

Not the apostle.

Not the prophet.

Not the bishop.

Not the pastor.

Not the denominational leader.

Jesus.

Every genuine ministry gift should cause the Body to grow into Him.

Carry the Gift Without Needing the Glory

If God has called you to apostolic ministry, serve faithfully.

If God uses you prophetically, speak humbly and remain accountable.

If you’re an evangelist, proclaim Jesus and equip others to do the same.

If you’re a pastor, shepherd Christ’s sheep.

If you’re a teacher, handle Scripture carefully.

But none of us need to build our identity around our function.

Your gift is something Christ gave the Church through you.

It isn’t proof that you’re more important than the people you serve.

The greatest evidence of fivefold ministry isn’t five impressive titles sitting on a conference platform.

It is a mature Body of believers doing the work of ministry.

The gift isn’t given to elevate the minister.

The gift is given to equip the saints.

And when the fivefold ministry functions biblically, people should walk away talking less about how impressive the minister was and more about how magnificent Jesus is.

Coming Next — Part 5

Bishop, Elder, Overseer, and Deacon: What Does the Bible Actually Say?

Is a bishop above a pastor?

Is an elder different from an overseer?

Where do deacons fit?

And how much of the hierarchy familiar to us today actually comes from the New Testament?

Next, we will compare the biblical words presbyteros, episkopos, poimēn, and diakonos and separate New Testament leadership from later church tradition.

Part 3: Pastor Is a Function Before It Is a Title

Ministry, Honor, and Status in the Church

“Pastor” may be the most familiar leadership title in the modern Protestant church.

We say:

“Pastor Mike.”

“Pastor Sarah.”

“Senior Pastor.”

“Lead Pastor.”

“Executive Pastor.”

“Youth Pastor.”

“Worship Pastor.”

“Associate Pastor.”

There is nothing inherently wrong with using the word pastor this way.

But here is an interesting question:

How often does the New Testament actually use “Pastor” as a title before someone’s name?

The answer may surprise some people.

It doesn’t.

You don’t read:

“Pastor Peter.”

“Pastor Paul.”

“Pastor Timothy.”

“Pastor Titus.”

The New Testament recognizes pastoral ministry, but it focuses more on what leaders do than on what they are called.

Biblically, pastor is first a function.

Understanding this function can change how we view pastoral ministry.

What Does “Pastor” Actually Mean?

The word translated “pastors” in Ephesians 4:11 is the Greek word poimēn.

Its basic meaning is:

shepherd.

Paul writes:

“And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers.”

— Ephesians 4:11 CSB

We often interpret this verse based on how churches are organized today.

We hear pastor and imagine someone standing behind a pulpit preaching every Sunday.

But Paul’s original readers would have heard:

shepherd.

That image makes a big difference.

A shepherd isn’t primarily someone with a microphone.

A shepherd cares for sheep.

A shepherd feeds.

A shepherd guides.

A shepherd protects.

A shepherd searches for those wandering.

A shepherd watches for danger.

A shepherd helps wounded sheep.

A shepherd leads the flock toward healthy pasture.

Before “Pastor” became a title, it described a responsibility to care for God’s people.

Jesus Is the Chief Shepherd

Pastoral ministry doesn’t begin with modern church leadership.

It begins with God Himself.

Throughout Scripture, God uses shepherd imagery to describe His relationship with His people.

David famously wrote:

“The LORD is my shepherd; I have what I need.”

— Psalm 23:1 CSB

Jesus later said:

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

— John 10:11 CSB

Peter calls Jesus:

“the chief Shepherd.”

— 1 Peter 5:4 CSB

This means every pastor on earth is an under-shepherd.

The Church doesn’t belong to the pastor.

The sheep don’t belong to the pastor.

The ministry doesn’t ultimately belong to the pastor.

The Church belongs to Jesus.

This point is very important.

Pastors aren’t owners of congregations.

They are stewards of people who belong to Christ.

Jesus Told Peter to Feed Sheep

After Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus restored him in John 21.

Three times Jesus questioned Peter about his love.

Then Jesus gave Peter responsibilities.

“Feed my lambs.”

— John 21:15 CSB

Then:

“Shepherd my sheep.”

— John 21:16 CSB

And:

“Feed my sheep.”

— John 21:17 CSB

Notice what Jesus didn’t say.

“Peter, make sure everyone recognizes your position.”

“Peter, establish your title.”

“Peter, demand respect for your office.”

Jesus gave Peter sheep to care for.

Also, notice something even more important:

Jesus repeatedly called them“my sheep.”

Not Peter’s sheep.

Christ’s sheep.

This truth should humble every pastor.

The people we lead belong to Jesus.

Pastor, Elder, and Overseer

This is where the New Testament becomes particularly interesting.

Modern churches sometimes treat pastor,  elder, and bishop/overseer as completely separate levels of church hierarchy.

But the New Testament often uses these ideas in overlapping ways.

Consider Acts 20.

Paul summons the elders of the church at Ephesus.

“Now from Miletus, he sent to Ephesus and summoned the elders of the church.”

— Acts 20:17 CSB

Later, speaking to those same elders, Paul says:

“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.”

— Acts 20:28 CSB

Look carefully.

The same group is connected with three ideas:

Elders.

Overseers.

Shepherding.

This suggests these terms describe connected parts of church leadership, not three separate ranks.

Elder emphasizes maturity and leadership.

Overseer emphasizes responsibility and supervision.

The shepherd/pastor emphasizes caring for the flock.

Different words.

Overlapping ministry.

Peter Uses the Same Pattern

Peter does something similar.

He writes:

“I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory about to be revealed: Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you.”

— 1 Peter 5:1–2 CSB

Again:

Elders shepherd.

Shepherds oversee.

This matters because, over time, church history created complex systems of titles and hierarchy. Organizations organize leadership differently, and not every organizational distinction is necessarily sinful.

But we should be careful about claiming that every modern hierarchy comes directly from the New Testament.

Sometimes church traditions have made distinctions that Scripture does not highlight.

The Qualifications Are Mostly About Character

One of the strongest arguments against title-centered ministry is found in the qualifications for leadership.

Read 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.

What does Paul emphasize?

Character.

Self-control.

Faithfulness.

Hospitality.

Maturity.

Ability to teach.

Family leadership.

Reputation.

Doctrine.

Paul doesn’t say:

“He must have a large following.”

“He must be charismatic.”

“He must have an impressive platform.”

“He must have a theological degree.”

“He must be an excellent marketer.”

“He must have a large church.”

“He must have an impressive title.”

The biblical qualifications overwhelmingly focus on who the person is.

This should tell us something important.

God is more concerned about the character behind the title than the title in front of the name.

You Can Have the Title and Not Shepherd

This is where the conversation becomes uncomfortable.

You can have the title “Pastor” without actually functioning as a biblical shepherd.

Someone can preach every Sunday and rarely know the sheep.

Someone can build an organization without shepherding people.

Someone can become an excellent communicator while being a poor pastor.

Someone can manage employees, budgets, buildings, and programs while rarely carrying people’s burdens.

That doesn’t mean administration or preaching is unimportant.

Both matter.

But shepherding is more than just leading from the stage.

Peter says:

“Shepherd God’s flock among you.”

— 1 Peter 5:2 CSB

There is proximity in that statement shows closeness. We have to know sheep.

You Can Shepherd Without Having the Title

The opposite can also happen.

Some people function pastorally but may never carry the formal title “Pastor.”

They disciple people.

They pray with hurting families.

They teach Scripture.

They walk alongside new believers.

They notice when someone disappears.

They call the person nobody else called.

They sit in hospital rooms.

They encourage the discouraged.

They help restore the fallen.

They protect vulnerable people.

They patiently guide believers toward maturity.

They may never stand behind a pulpit.

Nobody may introduce them as Pastor.

But their ministry is still deeply pastoral.

That doesn’t mean everyone who cares for people automatically holds the church office of pastor or elder.

Biblical offices carry real responsibility and accountability.

But it reminds us that ministry is more than just titles.

Shepherds Don’t Own Sheep

This may be one of the most important corrections needed in modern pastoral culture.

Sometimes pastors begin speaking about people possessively.

“My members.”

“My people.”

“My church.”

“My sheep.”

Those expressions may be harmless shorthand.

But if we are not careful, they can reveal something unhealthy.

Jesus said:

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me.”

— John 10:14 CSB

They are His sheep.

Paul told the Ephesian elders that Christ purchased the Church with His own blood.

Pastor, you didn’t purchase the Church.

Jesus did.

You didn’t die for the sheep.

Jesus did.

You aren’t the head of the Church.

Jesus is.

This means biblical pastoral authority should always be about stewardship.

We care for what belongs to Someone else.

Pastoral Authority Isn’t Ownership

This also changes how we handle people who leave churches.

A shepherd can grieve when someone leaves.

A pastor can believe someone is making an unwise decision.

A leader can lovingly warn someone.

But pastors should be extremely cautious about behaving as though believers require pastoral permission to obey God.

People belong to Jesus.

Healthy pastoral leadership says:

“How can I help you follow Christ?”

Unhealthy leadership says:

“How can I keep you under me?”

These are very different questions.

The pastor’s goal isn’t to create dependence upon the pastor.

The goal is to help believers mature in Christ.

Paul explains the purpose of ministry leadership:

“equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ.”

— Ephesians 4:12 CSB

Pastors aren’t supposed to do all the ministry.

Pastors help equip God’s people to minister.

The Goal Is Mature Sheep

Paul continues:

“until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.”

— Ephesians 4:13 CSB

Notice the goal.

Maturity.

Healthy pastors aren’t trying to keep believers spiritually dependent forever.

They want people to grow.

Learn Scripture.

Recognize God’s voice through His Word.

Develop discernment.

Discover their gifts.

Serve others.

Make disciples.

Become mature followers of Jesus. A pastor who needs people to stay spiritually immature to feel important has misunderstood pastoral ministry.

A shepherd celebrates when sheep become strong.

Pastors Are Also Sheep

This truth is easy to forget.

A pastor is still part of the flock.

Pastors need accountability.

Pastors need correction.

Pastors need encouragement.

Pastors need community.

Pastors need discipleship.

Pastors need repentance.

Pastors need grace.

Pastors need Jesus.

Having the title does not make someone a different kind of Christian.

Remember Jesus’ words:

“You are all brothers and sisters.”

— Matthew 23:8 CSB

A pastor carries a particular responsibility within the family.

But they remain part of the family.

What Should We Call Our Pastors?

There is nothing biblically problematic about respectfully calling someone “Pastor.”

If someone says:

“Pastor James.”

“Pastor Maria.”

“Pastor Toney.”

That can express affection, recognition, and honor.

Likewise, someone using a pastor’s first name isn’t automatically dishonoring them.

Scripture doesn’t give us a command:

“You must address your church leader as Pastor.”

The important issue isn’t the vocabulary.

It is the heart behind it.

A congregation can honor its pastors.

Pastors should be secure in Christ and not feel the need to demand honor.

The Test of a Pastor Isn’t the Title

If you want to know whether someone is functioning biblically as a pastor, don’t begin by looking at the sign outside the office.

Look for shepherding.

Are people being fed God’s Word?

Are hurting people being cared for?

Are wandering people being pursued?

Are vulnerable people being protected?

Are believers being equipped?

Are immature believers becoming mature?

Is truth being taught?

Is sin being confronted with grace and truth?

Is restoration happening?

Are people becoming increasingly dependent upon Jesus?

That’s pastoral ministry.

The title may identify it.

But the title alone cannot create it.

Carry the Towel Before the Title

There is nothing wrong with being called Pastor.

But it is a problem if being called Pastor matters more than actually being a pastor.

Jesus never told Peter to build a title.

He told him:

Feed my sheep.

Shepherd my sheep.

Feed my sheep.

That remains the assignment.

So perhaps every pastor should occasionally ask:

If nobody called me Pastor tomorrow, would I still shepherd God’s people?

If the answer is yes, keep serving.

Keep feeding.

Keep protecting.

Keep loving.

Keep equipping.

Keep pointing people toward Jesus.

When we stand before the Chief Shepherd, our title will not be what matters.

Faithfulness will.

Pastor is a beautiful description when a shepherd is actually behind it.

Coming Next — Part 4

Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers: Titles or Gifts?

Ephesians 4 identifies five ministries Christ gave His Church.

But why did He give them?

Were they intended to create five levels of spiritual authority—or five ways Christ equips His Body?

Next, we will examine the so-called fivefold ministry, whether these ministries should function today, and what happens when a gift intended to equip the Church becomes a title used to elevate the minister.

Part 2: “Call No Man Father”: What Did Jesus Actually Mean?

Ministry, Honor, and Status in the Church

Few things Jesus said about religious titles have sparked as much discussion as these words:

“Do not call anyone on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is in heaven.”

— Matthew 23:9 CSB

Some believers think the meaning is clear:

Christians should never call a spiritual leader “Father.”

Others note that Scripture uses the word ‘father’ for both biological fathers and spiritual relationships.

Paul called himself a father to believers.

Stephen spoke of “brothers and fathers.”

John repeatedly called believers his “little children.”

So what was Jesus actually forbidding?

Was Jesus setting a rule that certain words should never be used?

Or was he addressing a deeper issue among the religious leaders of his time?

To answer this well, we need to look at Matthew 23:9 in the context of the whole chapter.

We need to consider everything Jesus said in this passage.

When we do, we see that his warning goes far beyond just using the word ‘Father’ as a title.

Jesus was challenging a religious culture focused on status, recognition, hierarchy, and spiritual superiority.

This warning applies to every generation of the Church.

Start With the Context

Matthew 23 begins with Jesus addressing the crowds and His disciples concerning the scribes and Pharisees.

Jesus said:

“The scribes and the Pharisees are seated in the chair of Moses. Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don’t do what they do, because they don’t practice what they teach.”

— Matthew 23:2–3 CSB

Pay attention to this key point.

Jesus recognized their position while confronting their character.

That alone teaches us something about biblical authority.

A position can be valid even if the person in it acts wrongly.

Jesus did not value position by itself.

He cared if a person’s life matched what they taught.

Then He identified several problems.

They put heavy burdens on people.

They wanted their religious devotion noticed.

They wanted prominent positions.

They wanted public recognition.

And they loved prestigious religious titles.

Jesus said:

“They do everything to be seen by others.”

— Matthew 23:5 CSB

That sentence helps interpret everything that follows.

The issue is not merely vocabulary.

The issue is religious self-exaltation.

They Loved Being Recognized

Jesus continued:

“They love the place of honor at banquets, the front seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by people.”

— Matthew 23:6–7 CSB

Notice the repeated emphasis.

They loved the place of honor.

They loved the front seats.

They loved the public greetings.

They loved being called Rabbi.

There is something appealing about being seen as spiritually important.

This is the setting for Jesus’ next words.

“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ because you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters.”

— Matthew 23:8 CSB

Then:

“Do not call anyone on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is in heaven.”

— Matthew 23:9 CSB

And then:

“You are not to be called instructors either, because you have one Instructor, the Messiah.”

— Matthew 23:10 CSB

We should not separate verse 9 from verses 8 and 10.

Jesus mentions three categories:

Teacher.

Father.

Instructor.

Then he makes a bold statement:

“You are all brothers and sisters.”

This is the main point of the passage.

Jesus Was Dismantling Spiritual Elitism

Jesus wasn’t denying leadership.

He Himself appointed apostles.

The New Testament later recognizes elders, overseers, deacons, pastors, teachers, prophets, and evangelists.

The Church clearly has leadership.

But leadership does not make anyone a better Christian than others.

Before God, we all stand as equals.

Pastors need the same blood of Jesus as everyone else.

Prophets need the same grace.

Bishops need the same Savior.

Teachers need the same Holy Spirit.

Apostles need the same forgiveness.

Both the preacher and the person in the last row enter God’s Kingdom through Christ.

They may have different roles, but everyone has the same access to God.

That’s why Jesus says:

“You are all brothers and sisters.”

The Kingdom has leadership.

But in God’s Kingdom, no one takes the Father’s place or becomes a spiritual celebrity.

But Didn’t Paul Call Himself a Father?

Here, we need to let Scripture explain itself.

Paul told the Corinthians:

“For you may have countless instructors in Christ, but you don’t have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”

— 1 Corinthians 4:15 CSB

That’s significant.

If Jesus meant that ‘father’ could never describe a spiritual relationship, then Paul would seem to go against Jesus’ teaching.

But Paul was not asking the Corinthians to call him ‘Father Paul’ as a title.

He is describing his relationship to them.

He had brought the Gospel to them.

He had cared for them.

He had invested in their spiritual development.

He was speaking in family terms.

Paul similarly told Timothy:

“To Timothy, my true son in the faith.”

— 1 Timothy 1:2 CSB

If Timothy could be called Paul’s son in the faith, then Paul could also be seen as a spiritual father.

The relationship isn’t the problem.

The problem is putting someone on a pedestal.

Scripture Uses “Father” in Several Ways

The Bible clearly uses ‘father’ for biological fathers.

The fifth commandment says:

“Honor your father and your mother.”

— Exodus 20:12 CSB

Jesus Himself quoted this command.

So Matthew 23:9 cannot mean Christians are forbidden from saying, “That’s my father.”

Scripture also uses father-language historically.

Stephen addressed Israel’s leaders:

“Brothers and fathers, listen.”

— Acts 7:2 CSB

Paul similarly addressed a crowd:

“Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.”

— Acts 22:1 CSB

Clearly, the word itself is not wrong.

Jesus was challenging people who used their religious status to lift themselves above others.

The Real Danger: Replacing God’s Position

Jesus’ warning includes another important point.

He says:

“You have one Father, who is in heaven.”

This protects something very important.

No spiritual leader should take God’s place.

A pastor can guide you.

A teacher can instruct you.

A mentor can counsel you.

A mature believer can disciple you.

Someone may even function like a spiritual father or mother in your life.

But no one else stands between you and God.

Paul writes:

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus.”

— 1 Timothy 2:5 CSB

That position belongs to Jesus alone.

This is where spiritual leadership can go wrong.

When someone begins implying:

“You need me to hear God.”

“You cannot fulfill your calling without my approval.”

“You cannot leave my spiritual covering.”

“God speaks to you through me.”

“Your blessing depends upon your connection to me.”

At that point, we have left healthy discipleship behind.

A godly leader helps people depend more deeply upon Jesus.

An unhealthy leader makes people depend more and more on the leader.

That difference is important.

Spiritual Fathers Can Exist Without Becoming Spiritual Lords

Some believers have genuinely played father-like roles in people’s lives.

They discipled them.

Encouraged them.

Corrected them.

Prayed for them.

Helped them mature.

Celebrated their victories.

Walked with them through failures.

That kind of relationship is special.

Paul modeled it.

But Paul never asked for blind loyalty.

In fact, he told believers:

“Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.”

— 1 Corinthians 11:1 CSB

Notice the condition Paul gives, as I am following Jesus.

Paul was not the goal.

Christ was the goal.

Healthy spiritual leadership always points people to Jesus, not to itself.

Another reason to be careful about reading Matthew 23 as a total ban on certain words is that Jesus says:

“You have one Teacher.”

Yet Ephesians says:

“And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers.”

— Ephesians 4:11 CSB

God clearly gives teachers to the Church.

So Jesus was not saying that no one could ever teach; he was showing who the true source of authority is.

Christ is our supreme Teacher.

Human teachers serve under Christ’s authority.

The same idea helps us understand how ‘father’ is used.

God is our ultimate Father.

Any earthly or spiritual fatherhood is under God’s authority and can never take His place.

Be Careful When Titles Demand Allegiance

Changing words alone does not solve the problem.

Someone could refuse every religious title and still become controlling.

Another person could be respectfully called “Pastor” without ever seeking status.

What matters most is the heart.

But sometimes, titles show what is really going on inside.

We should become concerned whenever a spiritual title begins demanding:

special treatment,

automatic obedience,

unquestioned loyalty,

financial privilege,

exclusive access,

personal allegiance,

or immunity from correction.

Jesus did not create a group of untouchable religious leaders.

He called for leaders who serve others.

“You Are All Brothers and Sisters”

Perhaps the most overlooked statement in this entire passage is Matthew 23:8:

“You are all brothers and sisters.”

Take a moment to reflect on that.

The person preaching is your brother.

The person leading worship is your sister.

The elder is your brother.

The missionary is your sister.

The evangelist is your brother.

The prophet is your sister.

They might have different responsibilities.

They might have different gifts.

They might have real authority within the right biblical limits.

But they are still part of the same family.

No title can change that.

The Greatest Still Serves

Jesus finishes this section by saying:

“The greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

— Matthew 23:11–12 CSB

This is how leadership is measured in God’s Kingdom. Not:

How impressive is your title?

But:

How faithfully do you serve?

Not:

How many people recognize your authority?

But:

How closely do you resemble Jesus?

Not:

How important is your position?

But:

How willing are you to take the lowest position?

Some people in the Church have no title at all but show great spiritual maturity. Others may have impressive titles, but their character does not match their position. Jesus tells us where greatness is found.

Serving others.

So Should We Call Someone “Father”?

Christians will continue to disagree about whether “Father” should be used as a formal religious title.

Some believers avoid it completely because they believe Matthew 23 requires that conclusion.

Others understand Jesus’ words primarily as a prohibition against spiritual status and recognize biblical uses of father-language.

We should be careful not to judge faithful believers on either side of this issue.

But one thing should be clear:

No spiritual leader should ever occupy the place in someone’s life that belongs to God alone.

Someone can mentor you without owning you.

Someone can disciple you without controlling you.

Someone can correct you without becoming your mediator.

Someone can function like a spiritual father without replacing your heavenly Father.

Every true spiritual leader should help you depend more on Jesus, not on themselves.

The goal of ministry isn’t to gather spiritual sons and daughters around ourselves.

The goal is to help God’s sons and daughters grow into maturity in Christ.

That is a big difference.

We can honor people without putting them on a pedestal.

We can accept leadership without giving up Christ’s authority in our lives.

We can value spiritual relationships without turning people into spiritual royalty.

Because Jesus has already told us who we truly are:

Brothers and sisters under one Father, following one Messiah.

Coming Next — Part 3

Pastor Is a Function Before It Is a Title

Is “Pastor” actually a biblical title?

We will examine the Greek word poimēn, the relationship between pastors, elders, and overseers, and something that may surprise many Christians:

The New Testament says far more about what a pastor does than what people should call one.