"Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men. But do not be called Rabbi (Ῥαββί, Rhabbi); for One is your Teacher (διδάσκαλος, didaskalos), and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Do not be called leaders (καθηγηταί, kathēgētai); for One is your Leader (καθηγητὴς, kathēgētēs), that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted." Matthew 23:1-12
"Remember those who led you (ἡγουμένων, hēgoumenōn), who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith." Hebrews 13:7
"For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd (Ποιμένα, Poimena) and Bishop (Ἐπίσκοπον, Episkopon) of your souls." 1 Peter 2:25
"And when the Chief Shepherd (Ἀρχιποίμενος, Archipoimenos) appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory." 1 Peter 5:4
What is the purpose of these passages of Scripture? Well, according to the first passage, Jesus makes it abundantly clear that His followers are not to call themselves by titles that make them superior to their peers. Verse twelve ought to be a humble rebuke against anyone that uses a title to designate themselves.
Oh, I know, because you are suddenly offended by what the Bible has to say, you will immediately turn to Ephesians 4:11 for your proof text verse. But what does this verse say? It is not talking about titles; it is talking about functions. All other occurrences of the word translated "pastors" here, are translated as "shepherd." A shepherd is someone who naturally provides nurture and care for God's sheep. Period. Nothing more. The New Testament knows nothing of the modern concept of a "Pastor."
The apostles of Jesus never referred to themselves as Apostle So-and-so (big 'A'). They referred to themselves as an apostle of Christ Jesus (small 'a'), their function. Yes, I have been guilty in the past of referring to the apostles with a capital 'A' when I should have been doing so with a small 'a.' Not once is it a designation of a title, and Christians using it as such bestow a superiority upon them that they would reprimand you for.
The second passage refers to their function—not a title. They function in this role.
The last two passages make the point as crystal clear as daylight. The word translated 'Shepherd' is the same word translated as 'Pastor' in Ephesians 4:11. The word translated as 'Bishop' is the same word used in 1 Timothy 3 (bishop, overseer, elder). According to Jesus' words, what is He telling His followers?
"Do not be called Pastor; for One is your Pastor."
"Do not be called Bishop/Overseer/Elder; for One is your Bishop/Overseer/Elder."
"Do not be called Reverend; for One is your Reverend." (Plus, you are not to revere a reverend.)
A function (prophet, apostle, preacher, teacher, etc.) does not serve as a title. When you turn it into a title, you elevate yourself and make yourself superior to your peers. Your peers, likewise, should never call you Pastor So-and-so. They should call you by your first name. If this offends you, and you think you deserve some sort of honour or recognition or respect for your position, then you are precisely who the passage in Matthew 23 is speaking of, and you had better step down now because you are undeserving of the position! You have a proud heart.
Any time a Christian takes a title unto himself, or designates himself by a title, he is making himself superior to all his peers; and no doubt he thinks of himself in such a manner, too. If your church cares about biblical truth and accuracy in the least, if they claim to do everything by the book, then may they correct this gross error that has crept into the church and plagued her for centuries. May the members and the leadership repent of this. Sadly, most will not because they are blinded by tradition and Scripture is not the foundation they claim it to be.
P.S. — You cannot go to Bible college or Seminary to study to be something that is a gift of the Holy Spirit. That is the same nonsense as trying to teach someone how to speak in tongues. I hope you can see that.