Pastor or elders?

Structures of government in the Church of Jesus Christ. What does the Bible say?

De: René de Groot

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

Few Christians today realize that the word “pastor”, never appears in the singular in the Bible. “Pastor” literally means “shepherd”, and only three times does it occur in the singular in the New Testament. All three times Jesus, the “Shepherd and Keeper of our souls”, is meant.

Few also realize that the ministry of “pastor” in Ephesians 4:11 is actually the same as “elder” or “overseer”, and that it is always mentioned in the plural in the context of a local church leadership structure. Not once in the New Testament do we find a church led by one “pastor”. Always there is a consistent reference to “elders”.

Yet the model of the leadership structure of our churches and congregations today is almost always pyramidal, led by one “pastor”, and usually, but not even always, some “elders”, or “assistant pastors” who are automatically lower on the ladder of authority. It has become such a widespread and accepted system that few Christians see the difference from the structure we find in the New Testament, or realize the impact this non-biblical structure can have on the life of the congregation or the Church as a whole.

In this book, the author clearly lays out the structure of the leadership of the Church in the New Testament. Then he contrasts this with what we find in most of our churches and congregations today. The root of this difference is exposed, and the “why” of a collegiate council of elders is revealed. As we read, the consequences of not respecting the Word of God, mainly in terms of the leadership structure of the Church, will become more and more apparent and should appeal to every serious Christian who wants to submit to the Word of God.