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.
Thoughts from Pastor Toney 