Actually I am not trying to take this anywhere. I simply believe that New Testament words should be used correctly. 

Going to the old testament scriptures for authority would have been good for the Jewish nation while under the Old Law, but we are not governed by the old testament today and the language and its usage is not the same.

The root word for "pastor" and "shepherd" is poimēn.  One who cares for, oversees, feeds, etc.   This is the function of the elders under whom the preacher/ministr  labors.   There is no new testament example of a single elder/pastor/shepherd/bishop over a congregation.  It is alway referred to as a plurality  (ie presbytery - body of elders). 

This idea of a single pastor over a congregtion is what I was referring to as an unscriptural position.  Hope this clears up ay confusion.

Elders were to be "appointed" in every city Titus 1:5.  This would indicate that the term "elder" has an additional importance other than age. It would seem that one would not have to be appointed to be more mature or older in age.  They were appointed to be overseers as they worked and lived among the brethren.

I appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts and to come to a better understanding of God's word. 

I do not understand how the concept of a single man being called a "pastor" who is over a church. This is reserved for those with the qualifications Paul gave Timothy and Titus.  Elders of the church are always spoken as elders (plural) as in Acts 20.  It would see unscriptural to call a man a pastor unless they met the qualifications and were a part of the whole eldership. In addition, there is never a "head elder" or a "teaching elder" since teaching is a qualification for all elders and they are all equal in authority.  How did this error of a man "pastoring a church" come about?

Reply to
"I somewhat agree with your statement. What is misunderstood in most cases though is the word 'elder'. The word does mean an individual that is older. Unfortunately though it is associated with an individual that is physically older. In the context that scripture uses this word is an with those that are more mature in God's word. This is the same in many other things in scripture where people relate to the physical world instead of that which is spiritual."

I agree that the word "elder" can also refer to an older person in a physical or spiritual sense according to the context.  It is used as an older person in 1 Tim 5:1 and as a leader in 1 Tim 4:14 "Presbytery" or "counsel of elders".  A counsel of elders (a plurality) consists of more than one elder as rulers.  With this taken in context, it becomes clear that the church is overseen or "bishoped" by a group of men (elders) who have the oversight (1 Peter 5:1-3) of the congregation.

"Overseen" and "shepherded" by this group of older, spiritually mature men referred to as "elders" who are in the position of leadership among the congregation.  Hopefully this clears up my meaning when I refer to elders.

The terms "pastor", "elder", "shepherd", "bishop" all relate back to the same person who is one of the eldership.  An elder my become a preacher and a preacher may become an elder.

They should not be confused with an evangelist. Sometimes preacher/Evangelists are called "pastors" but unless they fulfill the qualifications of the elder as given by Paul to Timothy referring to them as a pastor is unscriptural. Sometimes an elder is paid as a full-time elder, but in most cases the elders are unpaid servant leaders of the congregation.  The have no authority to change bible doctrine, but they have the authority to decide in cases of "opinion."  This is what is meant in Heb 13:17.

The duties of the elder (Acts 20:28-35) differ from the duties of the preacher (1 Tim 4:13).  They should not become confused in the Christian's mind.  This is a great problem in South America (as it is here) where the preacher wants to be the "decider" or the one in charge.  There is an effort on going to correct this and appoint elders (Titus 1:5) in every city (congregation of the Lord's people).