What is a Pastor?

Here's an ecclesiological question. There is only one reference that I know of in scripture to pastors. I'm sure there may be other references that use a form of the word, but the only real solid one is Ephesians 4:11: And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers. It could be argued that this is a list of gifts, not a list of offices, but one could argue the opposite as well.

The role of "pastor" is never defined in scripture. There is no list of qualifications. Yet the term "Pastor" in evangelical circles has become synonymous with the focus of leadership in the local church. The "pastor" is the "shepherd" in a real sense, but evangelicals have laid the major burden of church leadership on a title that is used once, is largely undefined and which includes no explicit spiritual qualifications. Why?



Contrast this with "Elder", or presbyter, which has a more specific definition, to rule, preach, teach, pray, anoint. Elders are to be given honor, are not to be convicted without significant evidence of wrongdoing. Elders have specific qualifications for moral character and spiritual maturity.

Overseers (episcopos) which some see as synonymous with the Elder, likewise have more specific descriptions and qualifications outlined.

Both terms, Elder and Overseer, along with deacon, were adopted by the early church as "offices", Bishop, Presbyter and Deacon. Those three offices were maintained for nearly all of church history by most Christians.

Why, if evangelicals desire to do nothing contrary to scripture, was it necessary to abandon these biblical terms and replace them with another term, so ill-defined in scripture?

Certainly the dissatisfaction with the Roman Catholic hierarchical arrangement, the corruption of the offices, the understanding of the "presbyter" as a "priest" who performed a "sacrifice" played into it all. Certainly the "priesthood of all believers" described in 1 Peter and adopted by Luther as a central principle of the reformation contributed.

But I have to wonder, did rejection of Roman excesses require protestants to be blind to scripture on this issue? What has been the practical result in terms of views of spiritual authority? Would evangelicalism be less fragmented if the role of "overseer" was taken more seriously? Would there be as much pastor burnout and pastor abuse by congregations if the biblical and historical offices had not been cast aside with the baggage of medieval catholic excesses?

I don't have an answer. I just find it curious.