Term

Pastor

A term for the main governing office of a local church in the New Testament, used interchangeably with elder, overseer, and bishop.

Filed underEcclesiology

Definition

A term used interchangeably with "elder," "overseer," and "bishop" to refer to the main governing office of a local church in the New Testament. Translating the Greek poimen, the term identifies the shepherding task with the office of elder.

Connections

Follow this entry through the Lexicon.

Related to: BishopTerm
ElderTerm
local eldersTerm
ParishTerm
Narrower than: officeTerm
Synonym of: overseerTerm

Sources

1.Wayne A. Grudem Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. 2nd ed.. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020). 1519Original citation: Grudem, Wayne A. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020, 1519.

Last revised August 14, 2026