In the Bible, the leadership of the local church is a work that is provided by the elders of that local church.  For example, we read in Acts 20:17, “And from Miletus he (the Apostle Paul) sent to Ephesus, and called THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH.”  Part of his message to these elders is found in verse 28, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you OVERSEERS, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

  • The Greek word for ‘elders’ here is “presbýteros” and refers to the older, mature men in the church. This is where we get the word ‘Presbyterian’.
  • The Greek word for ‘overseers’ here is “epískopos”, which is translated as ‘bishops’ in Philippians 1:1 and 1 Timothy 3:2.  This is where we get the word ‘Episcopalian.’

Notice that there was not one elder, but there were ELDERS.  There was a plurality of leaders in that local assembly (church).  The Apostle Peter, in writing his first epistle, addressed the elders (plural) in 1 Peter 5:1-5, “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. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” 

The qualifications for those men who feel led to serve as elders in the local church are given to us in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 which says, “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”   As stated earlier, the word for ‘bishop’ in verse 2 is the same word translated as ‘elders’ in Acts 20:28.  The qualifications are also given to us in Titus 1:5-9.  As you can see, the qualifications for one to help lead the local church are quite strict and necessary if one desires to lead the Lord’s people in truth and conduct. 

You asked about the role of a pastor in your good question.  The Greek word for pastor in Ephesians 4:11 is ‘poimḗn’.  It is used 18 times in the New Testament.  Every time it is used, it is translated as ‘shepherd’ in the KJV, except in Ephesians 4:11, which says, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.”  We see that the shepherd, or pastor, is a gift given to certain ones from the Lord.  It is not an office to be sought after.  Rather, it is a gift, or ability, the Lord has given to be used to benefit the church, the body of Christ.  While there are qualifications to be met to serve as an elder in a local church, the gift of the pastor has no qualifications.  It is simply used when the Lord leads one to help shepherd one of the Lord’s sheep.  It is not necessarily a gift to be used locally but can be used throughout the body of Christ wherever the Lord might lead one to minister to another…seeking to draw a fellow believer closer to the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is not necessarily a ‘pulpit gift’ where one preaches to a congregation.  I believe the true gift of the pastor, or shepherd, will find its most common fulfillment in the ‘face to face’ work of sitting down with a brother or sister in Christ and ministering God’s Word to them.  (CC)  (740.4)