Response:

I am not sure that I understand your question. If you are simply interested in the word itself, the following is from the Online Etymology Dictionary (http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=pastor)

pastor (n.) 1242, "shepherd," also "spiritual guide, shepherd of souls" (1377), from O.Fr. pastur "herdsman, shepherd" (12c.), from L. pastorem (nom. pastor) "shepherd," from pastus, pp. of pascere "to lead to pasture, graze," from PIE base *pa- "to tend, keep, pasture, feed, guard" (see food). The spiritual sense was in Church L. (cf. Gregory's "Cura Pastoralis"). The verb in the Christian sense is from 1872.

If you are interested in the concept, that is found in the New Testament. Ephesians 4:11 states,

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;"

The word "pastor" comes from the Greek Word "poimen", which is defined by Strong's Greek Concordance as "a shepherd (literally or figuratively):--shepherd, pastor". The word "poimen" is used of a literal shepherd of sheep in Matthew 9:36 and 25:32, and also Luke 2 (the annunciation to the shepherds). It is also used figuratively of Christ as the Good Shepherd in John 10, Hebrews 13:20, and I Peter 2:25.

I Peter 5:1-4 gives some indication of the leader of the local church being the pastor. These verses read,

"The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."

Here, the elder (which I believe is simply another name for the pastor, and indicates another aspect of his ministry), is told to "feed the flock" and to be an example to the flock. The word "flock" used here is the same word used to describe the sheep that the shepherds were watching in Luke 2. Thus, we see the elder taking a shepherding role over the "sheep" that God has given him. The picture is completed by the fact that Christ is given the title of "Chief Shepherd" (archipoimen) in verse 4. Christ is the Chief Shepherd, the elder is the "under shepherd", or pastor.

Acts 20:17, 28 shows that the roles of Elder, Bishop, and Pastor all belong to the same individual. In verse 17, Paul speaks to the elders (Greek: presbuteros). In verse 28 he tells them that they are to "take heed...to all the flock" (poimnion) and also to "feed" (poimaino: "to tend as a shepherd") the church. Also in verse 28, Paul refers to the elders responsibility as "overseers" (episkopos), which is translated "bishop" in Philippians 1:1.

The Old Testament also gives some insight into this. Jeremiah 3:15 says,

"And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding."

The word "pastor" is the Hebrew word "ra'ah", which is defined as "to tend a flock". It is the same word that is used in Genesis 29:7 for feeding sheep.

Historically, as near as I can find, the term "pastor" began to be used commonly for the leader of the church during the time of the Protestant Reformation. This was to distance the Reformers from the Catholic belief that the leader of the church was a priest. The Bible teaches that all believers are priests (I Peter 2:9), and thus no one needs to go through any man here on earth to talk to God or receive forgiveness. Of course, this is NOT what the Catholic church teaches. Thus, the Reformers wanted their leaders to be called "Pastor", not "Father", and they wanted their leaders to be referred to as pastors, not priests.

I hope this is the information that you were looking for.

Pastor Mark Montgomery
Ambassador Baptist Church
Pittsburgh, PA

By Pastor Dr. Mark Montgomery Ambassador Baptist Church 1926 Babcock Blvd Pittsburgh, PA 15209 (412)477-3210