“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…” (ESV)
"καὶ αὐτὸς ἔδωκεν τοὺς ἀποστόλους, τοὺς προφήτας, τοὺς εὐαγγελιστάς, τοὺς ποιμένας καὶ διδασκάλους, πρὸς τὸν καταρτισμὸν τῶν ἁγίων εἰς ἔργον διακονίας, εἰς οἰκοδομὴν τοῦ σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ"
"Pastors" / Shepherds (ποιμήν / poimēn)
→ “Pastors” (poimēn) is listed as a gift Christ Jesus gives to the ekklesia through the Holy Spirit, not a title, position, or “office”; it is a functional role: to shepherd (cf. verb form in Acts 20:28; 1 Pet 5:2); linked to teaching, not a singular leader.
→ No job description, no mention of a singular “pastor” ruling a church, no indication that “pastors” are the central or indispensable leaders of local assemblies, no pulpit, no weekly sermon.
→ "Pastors" and teachers are not two different roles, but one. Article (τοὺς) + Noun (ποιμένας) + καὶ + Noun (διδασκάλους). When two nouns (ποιμένας, διδασκάλους) are joined by καὶ and only the first has the article (τοὺς), they are conceptually united — often one role with two functions: shepherd-teachers.
→ No New Testament church is led by a single “pastor” with centralized authority, governing every aspect of their life together.
→ Provided: Shepherds equipped believers for ministry, fostering growth and unity.
→ Nature: Enabling and empowering, preparing the church for collective service.
→ Evidence: Ephesians 4:11–12 shows shepherds equipping all saints for ministry, and 1 Corinthians 14:26 depicts all members contributing.