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Use of "Pastor"

Discussion in '2000-02 Archive' started by Mark Reid, Mar 1, 2002.

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  1. Mark Reid

    Mark Reid New Member

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    When did the term Pastor start to come into general use as a title and office for the leader of a church?
     
    #1 Mark Reid, Mar 1, 2002
  2. Clint Kritzer

    Clint Kritzer Active Member
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    To the best of my knowledge, this is the earliest reference.

    - Clint
     
    #2 Clint Kritzer, Mar 1, 2002
  3. Mark Reid

    Mark Reid New Member

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    The question I had in mind was historical rather than scriptural - when did the term Pastor become a commonly used term to describe the leader of a church?
     
    #3 Mark Reid, Mar 1, 2002
  4. DocCas

    DocCas New Member

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    Every latin text translates ποιμεν as pastor. The earliest date usually assigned to the Old Latin is around 150 AD.
     
    #4 DocCas, Mar 1, 2002
  5. Squire Robertsson

    Squire Robertsson Administrator
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    Originally posted by Mark Reid:
    I believe the question can be restated as
    I hope this clears the mud up a bit.
    Keith
     
    #5 Squire Robertsson, Mar 1, 2002
  6. Jeff Weaver

    Jeff Weaver New Member

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    In the area where I am, it is fairly recent innovation to use "Pastor" as a title rather than an office. It seems to have begun with Pentecostal types, and then spread to others. Course I have no proof, but just an observation of the way seem to have taken place.
     
    #6 Jeff Weaver, Mar 1, 2002
  7. Squire Robertsson

    Squire Robertsson Administrator
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    I would hazard that the usage developed in the mid-1700s. It problably developed as a way to signify a "teaching" Elder from a "ruling" Elder. Until the mid-1800s, the common courtesy title was simply "Elder". However, as the Protestant Denominations titled their "parish" leaders, "Pastors". It was simply a matter of ecclesiastical diplomacy to call ours by the same title. This is true especially as most of us reject and rightfully so the title "Reverend".
     
    #7 Squire Robertsson, Mar 2, 2002
  8. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    May be a great variety by region, as well as by urban v rural. A title doesn't come into use all at once everywhere.

    I was called "parson" and lived in a "parsonage" in a rural Wisconsin church until 1978. It was 100 year old church and the deacons [who helped found it, I'm sure [​IMG] ] used that term all the time!

    Moved 200 miles away, to another small town, but a newer church and was called "pastor" and never "parson" again.

    Of course, the wife always calls me "The Seldom Right Reverend". Another thread.
     
    #8 Dr. Bob, Mar 2, 2002
  9. Bro. John Willis

    Bro. John Willis New Member

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    Brother Bob:
    Can you help me with this "title" thing?
    The office is called both bishop and elder in the New Testament, that I know. However, tell me more about the terms parson, reverend, divine etc,. To be sure, isn't pastor called a gift in the book of Ephesians rather than an office?
    Watching and waiting
    Your brother
    John
    P.S. Does your wife also consider you slighty warped as you say in your newsletter? LOL
     
    #9 Bro. John Willis, Mar 7, 2002
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