Pastor

Related Topics:
Pastor,_Amy_Wynn :: Pastorius,_Jaco :: Pastoral_Resources :: Pastors :: Pastoral_Support :: Pastoral :: Pastoral_Counselors

A pastor is the head minister or priest of a Christian church. The word itself is derived from the Latin word pastōr which means shepherd.

Origin

The usage of pastor comes from its use in the Bible. In the Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament), the Hebrew word רעה (transliterated: ra`ah) is used. The word is used 173 times, and is used to describe feeding sheep like in Genesis 29:7 and also in regards to human beings like in Jeremiah 3:15, "And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding" (KJV).

In the New Testament, the Greek word ποιμην (transliterated: poimēn) is used and is normally translated pastor or shepherd. The word is used 18 times in the New Testament. For example, Ephesians 4:11, "And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers" (KJV). Jesus also called himself the "Good Shepherd" in John 10:11.

Historical usage

Around 400 AD, Augustine, a famous North African bishop, described a pastor's job:

Disturbers are to be rebuked, the low-spirited to be encouraged, the infirm to be supported, objectors confuted, the treacherous guarded against, the unskilled taught, the lazy aroused, contentious restrained, the haughty repressed, litigants pacified, the poor relieved, the oppressed liberated, the good approved, the evil borne with, and all are to be loved.

Current usage

In Protestantism

Many Protestants use the term pastor as a title (e.g., Pastor Smith) or as a job title (like Senior Pastor or Worship Pastor). This usage is particularly common among Protestants who believe in the priesthood of all believers, and, therefore, they reject the use of the term priest for their leaders. Such denominations include the Lutherans, Mennonites, Methodists, Presbyterians, Reformed tradition churches, and Baptists.

In other traditions

Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican churches typically refer to their leaders as priests (although the term pastor may also used, particularly in North America). In a Catholic parish large enough to have more than one priest, only one of them will bear the title of pastor. This person will be the head of the parish. Anglican churches rarely use the term "pastor", preferring the words rector and vicar.

References

External links

New Advent. The Catholic Encyclopedia's entry on the term pastor.
Gumpoint. A Pentecostal view on the term pastor.

Religious work | Christian group structuring | Ecclesiastical titles | Clergy

Gourt Home::Gourt :: Pastor