Leadership

A pastor is a shepherd. Ephesians 4:11 mentions that God gave some Christian leaders “to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers.” The word shepherd comes from the Greek word “poimane.” The word “poimane” appears 17 times in the New Testament. It literary means “shepherd” and figuratively means “pastor.”

A elder is a position of church governance, elected by the congregation to fulfill the leading, teaching, praying, preaching and pastoral roles in the church. In doing this, the elder is both Christ’s authority in the church and under the authority of Christ.

The term deacon comes from the Greek word diákonos meaning “servant” or “minister.” The word, which appears at least 29 times in the New Testament, designates an appointed member of the local church who assists by serving other members and meeting material needs.