Why do we persist in making our churches dependent upon, and primarily revolve around, a "Senior Pastor" ... When no such position or role exists in the New Testament? Eph. 4:11 is the only verse where the Greek noun translated as “pastor” is used in the New Testament regarding the church. That’s it. Just once and nowhere else. Yet we’ve taken that one passage out of context and built our current, prevailing “pastor centric” model of church and church leadership around it. Surprisingly, however, “pastor centric” churches and church leadership are nowhere found in the New Testament. Nope, not, nada … Just ain’t there. And let's be honest: Not only has a "pastor centric" focus prevented churches today from being simple, participatory communities of believers who minister one to another for the mutual edification of each other as the New Testament commands ... But it has destroyed many through burn out and disillusion from being put in positions never intended by God. The scope and intent of the word “pastor” in Eph 4:11, therefore, must be determined by the Greek grammar in that passage and by the rest of Scripture. As to grammar, the word is tied together by a common, shared article with the word for teacher. Thus, the passage says that Christ Himself gave us “some as pastors and teachers” – rather than just “pastors” as a separate role. That shared article in the Greek thus ties “pastors and teachers” together as two aspects of the same combined position in the church – not two independent, separate positions. In the rest of the New Testament, the verb form of that word – in the context of the church – is always used to describe a function performed by elders (plural), who also are to function as teachers. Thus, in Eph. 4:11, Paul is saying that God gave the church those who function “as pastors and teachers” – i.e., elders – to equip God’s people to in turn be ministers of God. As such, “pastor” in the New Testament is never used, in either noun or verb form, to refer to a separate, independent position or office in the church. It is simply a term applied to one of the several functions assigned to elders (always plural) who serve each local church. Pastoring is an important function. But it is only one of several functions that elders perform, rather than a separate office, title, or position that is apart from – or over – a proper, fully functional eldership. Plus, there is not a single person called a “Pastor” in the New Testament, except for Jesus as the true head of the church. I would never minimize the pastoral function of elders. As an elder, I take my duty to provide pastoral care and guidance very seriously – along with the other duties Scripture assigns to me as I serve our local church. But neither will I take that one use of that one noun in Ephesians 4 out of context to build a whole “pastor centric” model of the church around it … Especially when that “pastor centric” model is contrary to the rest of the New Testament and its numerous imperatives for how we are to actually be the church and how leadership is to properly function among us.

A great hindrance to simple, participatory church as the New Testament shows it, with ministry to one another for the mutual edification of each other … Is the lie that it’s all up to you. This feeds the resulting impulse to try to make it happen by then directing, motivating and coordinating everyone else … Under your primary “leadership” or “vision.” In simple church as the New Testament shows it, however, God’s people learn to lead forth – each and every one – as He directs … According to the diverse gifts, motivations and callings He distributes among us. This happens as everyone learns to submit to one another, as we all prefer each other above ourselves. Biblical elders (plural), in turn, emerge among us to unassumingly serve beside us by encouraging and keeping it all on track. In contrast, those who presume to assume the unbiblical, hierarchical, monopolizing role of solo “pastor” over a church, eventually restrict God’s people – and themselves – to an edifice of their own limitations, motivations and agenda … No matter how well intended.