Pastor Vs. Preacher

[Greektim]

I am not sure which category this fits in, but I was wondering something.

I have grown up in the south. I have been in mega-churches and dying churches. I have been to a few up north. There seems to be a culture term for the Bishop/Elder/Pastor of a church.

Up north he is usually called "pastor." Down south he is usually called "preacher." Why is this?

Second question, which is the preferred term for the man of God? Personally, I am not a fan of being called "preacher" though I don't prevent it. But it does give the idea that my job only consists of preaching (thus I only work one day a week). The term "pastor" details the work and the position of the man the best. I wouldn't even mind being called "bishop" or "overseer." Being only 24 I don't think many are willing to call me "elder" yet. Why the stigma? What does everyone else prefer or use.

[Jim]

We call ours, "Pastor" here in S.C.

[Mongol Servant]

"Pastor" is correct, but to say that preaching is the only job of someone called "Preacher" belies their ignorance of the position. Look at the subtitle of Ecclesiastes - I think a little more than "preaching" is being done there.

[Davo]

Quote:Being only 24 I don't think many are willing to call me "elder" yet. Why the stigma? What does everyone else prefer or use.

Several years ago we had two young morman elders visit our service. (I think they try out all the churches to see if we say anything about them)

I said "Aren't you are a bit young to be elders?" They said "NO! the age for elder is 18." Our pastor said, "Do you qualify as elders according to the scripture?" I don't think they had an answer to that.

[George]

Well now, here is an area I agree with Greektim on. I believe the proper term is Pastor according to the Bible. To me a person that is a preacher is someone like a traveling evangelist. Rather than be the undershepard of a Church their mission is to preach. Of course they do have the obligations of taking care of their own ministry but it is not like being the Pastor of a Church.

In Christ,
George

[PreacherE]

I call my pastor by the term "preacher" using it as a title of endearment. When I am referring or talking to another pastor then I use the term "pastor" before their last name as a sign of respect.

I suppose that makes me the oddball so far.

In Christ,
PreacherE

[Nate]

Having lived in the Midwest my whole life, I find the term pastor to be the most common. Like PreacherE, I use the term pastor before the last name as a sign of respect.

[Brother Tim]

When I was in elementary school, my principal always said "Hey, Rev" when he saw me. I just took it that he knew my father was a pastor. Little did I know that this kind man was a "prophet". When I go before the city or county commission, or when they see me in public, they always call me "Reverend Keyes", I guess out of respect (though sometimes contempt). I gave up trying to get them to call me by my own favorite, "Brother Tim".

[ChuckieTrout]

Greektim Wrote:I am not sure which category this fits in, but I was wondering something....
I have grown up in the south. I have been in mega-churches and dying churches. I have been to a few up north. There seems to be a culture term for the Bishop/Elder/Pastor of a church. .....
.......Up north he is usually called "pastor." Down south he is usually called "preacher." Why is this?
...... Why the stigma? What does everyone else prefer or use.

You'll always be the Parson Tim to me Bubb

[George]

Since Brother CT sort of revived this thread again I was thinking about the three terms mentioned, Pastor, preacher and reverend. Notice that I capitalize Pastor I believe as was mentioned earlier as a sign of respect. The term or title preacher I have found seems to be normally reserved to people such as evangelists that happen to come through and are not actually the Pastor of a Church. Reverend is a term I do not care for nor do I use it. The primary reason for that being so many of the men (and women) associated with that word are affiliated with completely confused and often heretical Churches. I know my Aunt, who has been a Southern Baptist all her life, was recently ordained by the SBC and now goes by the title reverend. It gives me the willies. How can a person become a reverend when the Bible says they are supposed to be silent in the Church? I can't figure that one out.

In Christ,
George

[Jim]

Quote:Reverend is a term I do not care for nor do I use it.

Amen brother George! The Lord Jesus is the only Revered (as Reverend) one to me! I do not like associating this title to man.

Love in Christ,

Jim

[IM4given]

Greektim Wrote:I am not sure which category this fits in, but I was wondering something.

I have grown up in the south. I have been in mega-churches and dying churches. I have been to a few up north. There seems to be a culture term for the Bishop/Elder/Pastor of a church.

Up north he is usually called "pastor." Down south he is usually called "preacher." Why is this?

Second question, which is the preferred term for the man of God? Personally, I am not a fan of being called "preacher" though I don't prevent it. But it does give the idea that my job only consists of preaching (thus I only work one day a week). The term "pastor" details the work and the position of the man the best. I wouldn't even mind being called "bishop" or "overseer." Being only 24 I don't think many are willing to call me "elder" yet. Why the stigma? What does everyone else prefer or use.

Only 1 verse of scripture for "pastor" vs 11 verses of scripture for "preacher":

Jeremiah 17:16 As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was right before thee.

Ecclesiastes 1:1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
Ecclesiastes 1:2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 1:12 I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
Ecclesiastes 7:27 Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:
Ecclesiastes 12:8 Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 12:9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
Ecclesiastes 12:10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
1 Timothy 2:7 Whereunto ° I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not; ) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
2 Timothy 1:11 Whereunto ° I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
2 Peter 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

Noah Webster 1828 Dictionary:

pastor
P`ASTOR, n. [L. from pasco, pastum, to feed.]

1. A shepherd; one that has the care of flocks and herds.

2. A minister of the gospel who has the charge of a church and congregation, whose duty is to watch over the people of his charge, and instruct them in the sacred doctrines of the christian religion.

preacher
PRE'ACHER, n. One who discourses publicly on religious subjects.

1. One that inculcates any thing with earnestness.

No preacher is listened to but time.

I guess us Southerners just prefer to emphasize preaching the gospel, which is more important IMHO. "Pastor" is an adjective, but "preacher" is more of a verb.

[Harold]

I dont Believe any man should be called by GOD’S name

Ps:111:9: He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.

Harold

[George]

Quote:Only 1 verse of scripture for "pastor" vs 11 verses of scripture for "preacher":

Actually there are way more than one verse of scripture for "pastor." By doing a search of the King James concordance and using the plural of the word also there are 172 occurrences of the word "pastors," and then there are the ones using the singular form.

H7462
???
ra??a?h
Total KJV Occurrences: 172
feed, 55
Gen_29:7, Gen_30:31, Gen_37:12-13 (2), Gen_37:16, Exo_34:3, 1Sa_17:15, 2Sa_5:2, 2Sa_7:7, 1Ch_11:2, 1Ch_17:6, Job_24:2, Psa_28:9, Psa_49:14, Psa_78:71, Pro_10:21, Son_1:8, Son_4:5, Son_6:2, Isa_5:17, Isa_11:7, Isa_14:30, Isa_27:10, Isa_30:23, Isa_40:11, Isa_49:9, Isa_61:5, Isa_65:25, Jer_3:15, Jer_6:3, Jer_23:2, Jer_23:4, Jer_50:19, Eze_34:2-3 (3), Eze_34:10, Eze_34:13-16 (5), Eze_34:23 (2), Hos_4:16, Hos_9:2, Jon_3:7, Mic_5:4, Mic_7:14 (2), Zep_2:7, Zep_3:13, Zec_11:4, Zec_11:7, Zec_11:9
shepherds, 33
Gen_46:32, Gen_47:3, Exo_2:17, Exo_2:19, 1Sa_25:7, Isa_13:20, Isa_31:4, Isa_56:11, Jer_23:3-4 (2), Jer_25:34-36 (3), Jer_33:12, Jer_50:6, Eze_34:2 (4), Eze_34:7-10 (6), Amo_1:2, Mic_5:5, Nah_3:18, Zep_2:6, Zec_11:3 (2), Zec_11:5, Zec_11:8
shepherd, 28
Gen_46:34, Gen_49:24, Num_27:17, 1Ki_22:17, 2Ch_18:16, Psa_80:1 (2), Isa_40:11 (2), Isa_44:28, Isa_63:11, Jer_31:10, Jer_43:12, Jer_49:19, Jer_50:44, Jer_51:23, Eze_34:5, Eze_34:8, Eze_34:12, Eze_37:23-24 (3), Amo_3:12, Zec_10:2, Zec_11:15-16 (2), Zec_13:7 (2)
fed, 11
Gen_30:36, Gen_36:24, Gen_41:2, Gen_41:18, Gen_48:15, 1Ch_27:29, Psa_37:3, Psa_78:72, Eze_34:8 (2), Zec_11:7
herdmen, 7
Gen_13:7-8 (5), Gen_26:20 (2), 1Sa_21:7
pastors, 7
Jer_2:7-8 (2), Jer_3:15, Jer_10:21, Jer_12:10, Jer_22:22, Jer_23:1-2 (2)
feedeth, 5
Pro_15:14, Son_2:16, Son_6:3, Isa_44:20, Hos_12:1
feeding, 3
Gen_37:1-2 (2), Job_1:14, Eze_34:10
kept, 3
Gen_29:9, Exo_3:1, 1Sa_17:34
companion, 2
Pro_13:20, Pro_28:7
eat, 2
Jer_22:22, Eze_34:19
broken, 1
Jer_2:16
company, 1
Pro_29:3
devour, 1
Psa_80:13
eaten, 1
Eze_34:18
evil, 1
Job_24:21
feedest, 1
Son_1:7
friend, 1
Jdg_14:20
friendship, 1
Pro_22:24
keeper, 1
Gen_4:2
keepeth, 1
1Sa_16:11
keeping, 1
1Sa_25:16
pastor, 1
Jer_17:16 (2)
shearing, 1
2Ki_10:12
shepherd’s, 1
1Sa_17:40
shepherds’, 1
Son_1:8
wander, 1
Num_14:33

There is the entry from the King James Concordance for the plural form of the word. As you can see it has many different characteristics in the English language yet if you take the time to look them up you can see that they are all related to the work of what we have come to know as a Pastor.

In Christ,
George

[IM4given]

Okay I stand corrected. I searched "pastors" in the plural and I came up with 8 more verses of scripture.

Jeremiah 2:8 The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.
Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Jeremiah 10:21 For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.
Jeremiah 12:10 Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.
Jeremiah 22:22 The wind shall eat up all thy pastors, and thy lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness.
Jeremiah 23:1 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:2 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

But now that I think about it, I always address my preacher as Brother Tom, and I only refer to him as preacher as in "Morning, Preacher" only occassionally. I never think of him as "pastor" though, and that may be a failing on my part.