Pastor

From Neoredemptive

A shepherd of the church of Jesus Christ.

Pastors are called to lead the local church, and in so doing to follow the example of the Good Shepherd, Jesus.

The Bible clearly identifies pastoring and pastors as gifts given by the Holy Spirit (e.g., Ephesians 4).

Elders (presbyters), Bishops (overseers), and Pastors (shepherds) are all referenced regularly in the New Testament as playing a regular and important role in the life of the church.

See Greek/episkopos and presbuteros for some discussion of the connections and distinctions between elder/bishop/pastor in the Greek text.