The Scripture speaks very clearly about the roles of men and women in the church. And two areas of ministry that are affected are the teaching ministry and leading. In view of the elders’ primary role shepherding the people of God, we now want to look at this important, and at times contentious issue, what the Bible teaches about men and women in the teaching and leading ministry of the church.
Join Chuck Gianotti in this three part series as he helps us understand this important topic. Watch these short videos by yourself or with your leadership team, and don’t forget you can utilize the discussion questions after each video to help facilitate a conversation.
https://www.biblicaleldership.com/effective-shepherding-172/leading-gods-flock-0/gender-issues/
Since the word pastor in Ephesians 4:11 fits with shepherd and there doesn’t seem to be any biblical the distinction between the role of pastor and elder, also referred to as shepherd, they should be considered synonymous. Listing in v. 11 makes progression and interchanging elder for pastor makes better sense. To bring a different role and meaning here seems out of place. Shepherd is elder is pastor is overseer is bishop when you go back to the original text. Thanks for your lessons.
Scott, Thank you for your feedback (and apologies for being so later in responding).
I would agree there is a close connection between the gift of “pastor-teacher” in Eph 4:11 and the work or office of elder (Peter tells the elders to “shepherd the flock of God” (1 Peter 5:2). But I don’t see that it follows that all “pastor-teachers” of God’s people are to be identified or designated as elders. In other words, I don’t see that the gifting is synonymous, interchangeable or equated with the office. It is clear from the context that the apostle Paul is speaking of “gifts” in Eph 4, not offices. He goes on to lay out the function of those gifts, as building up the body of Christ, whether in a foundational sense (Eph 2:20) or an on going sense. To the mature Christians at Ephesus where Timothy resided at the time of Paul’s letters to him, it would seem strange for Paul to not have mentioned the elders in the context of Eph 2:20 if that is what he was intended. So it seems to me that he is writing in more general terms than of specific offices of elder.
By analogy using Ephesians 4:11, 1) There are those who are gifted as teachers in the church, 2) elders should be able (“apt”) to teach 3) but not all teachers are elders. Granted “teacher” in Ephesians 4:11 is probably not a separate gift, but a combine gift as “pastor-teachers” (based on the Greek grammar/syntax of the sentence) But there is certainly a teaching overlap, and there is a “pastoring” overlap. In short, the primary office of the church is that of elder. The term “pastor” is not used in Scripture as a title or office, but as a gift.
To be sure, elders should be do the work of shepherding/pastoring/teaching over the church, but there may also be others who are gifted and serve as shepherds/pastors/teachers within the church, subject to other guidelines as appropriate. For example, I know of men who lead small group ministries and very much function as shepherds of the small groups, but are not elders over the church. I know of women who are gifted as shepherds/pastors of other women, children ministries, etc. but not functioning in the office of elder (which would put them at odds with other Scriptures like 1 Tim 2:12). I believe these fall within the Biblical framework.
Having said all this, I don’t in any way want to diminish the importance of elders not simply being “board elders” who make the big decisions of the church.They are to guard the whole flock of God (Acts 20:28), to shepherd His people for whom Christ shed His blood. They are to be biblically qualified.
Brother, thanks for your interaction. I am responding in the same sense of graciousness that I sensed in your comments. We welcome the interaction. Please feel free to interact further on this or any other subject related to this website and ministry.
Your fellow vessel of mercy,
Chuck Gianotti