Why the Change in Terminology??

In modern-day terminology I see the elder who preaches and teaches well as the pastor. He is the elder who is especially equipped to preach and teach well.

 

Ive always seen the pastor as distinct from an elder only because he is the man hired to do the main job of leading the church. If not hired as in "paid position", at least the one elected to be the head Elder.

Wouldn't that sort of terminology be one of those things that really doesn't matter all that much in the greater scheme of things? I think I'd put it right with the fact that we use the term "trinity" all the time, even though that particular word is not found even once.

 

uh-oh, the term "hired" instead of "called"

...but I know what you're trying to say!

 

The called vs. hired is an interesting differentiation.

How do you get rid of "called" people.....?

 

I wasn't actually trying to make a differentiation between "hired" and "called". But when looking at the term "pastor" we tend to think of it as a position within the church that is filled by one specific person. There can be many "elders" in a church, but only one who is the head "pastor".

Somebody has to be in charge, or there's just chaos.

 

The deacon board calls them to go somewhere else.

 

I don't think there's a nood to split hairs over symantics. The pastor/minister/priest, etc is typically understood to be the ordained person in the pastorate position. Elders, etc, are typically thought of to be the lay persons who assist the pastor. That's how we use the terms today (though it varies from church/denom to church/denom), and that's perfectly fine. So long as we understand what scripture referrs to in specific offices (regardless of what those offices were called) then that's fine.

 

I've never really thought about this, but could it be because Pastors are often younger than their congregation members?

It might seem odd for an 80 year old member to refer to the Pastor as "elder" if he is only 35 or 40. If this is the case it is probably just because of the connotation placed on the word "elder" in our society.

Likewise, I think the reluctance to use the title "bishop" is probably due to society associating that term with catholicism and the negative implication of that association.

Pastor Mark.

 

What's the history of the term "Reverend"?

 

and so many people try to differentiate between a God called and seminary trained pastor, as if they cant both be combined. Neither are in the bible, nor is reverend

 

Tater,

I agree. Nowhere in the Bible is there a requirement for seminary training in order to be a pastor.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Funny, here in Ghana a man is called Pastor so and so if he is not ordained. When he does get ordained he is called Rev. so and so. I am called Rev. Dr. Mike, so as to distinguish me from a medical doctor. No, the Rev. title does not make a vicar or priest or anything like that. It is just a way that people here show respect for the office of an elder/pastor.

 

In the church I attend, all Elders are Pastors and vice versa, and the title of Elder is used formally, while the title Pastor is used in general conversation, church bulletins, the website, etc. It doesn't matter if a Pastor is "full time" (financially, not ministerialy) or not, he's still both.

Never, to my knowledge is the term Reverend used of our current Pastor in the context of the local church's ministry, however he is also a volunteer consultant to our regional association, and the prefix Rev. is appended to his name on their printed materials. I don't think he he hates the term, but he prefers Pastor. When I asked him to be my best man, he requested to be called "Pastor" not "Rev." in the newspaper announcement; the newspaper did not comply with that request. Go figure.

I find PastorMark's comment that perhaps Pastor is used instead of Elder because of age to be quite interesting. I could certainly see that being the case in some instances. Any one else think so?

 

The same way as you deal with the "hired" guys. You apply 1 Tim. 5:17-22 and if necessary Matt. 18:15-20.

 

Before we hurry off too far in rejecting the term "Priest", let's remember that that is just a French-origin variant from the Greek, "Presbyteros", translated "Elder". In other words, "Priest" in its original meaning was the same as "Elder". But of course history has given the term new meanings, which I along with all Baptists I know of do reject.

As for the theory that we would find it odd to call young men "Elder", I know that I always find it amusing when those pink-cheeked young Mormon missionaries come to my door wearing a nametag that dubs them "Elder". They are at least fifty years younger than I! (Of course when I tell them my name and that I am a Baptist minister they age in a hurry!

 

Hmmm. I distinctly remember reading somewhere about believers being made a kingdom of priests.
Ed