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To answer this question we will look at the biblical words that refer to church leadership and see how they are used.

THE GREEK NOUNS FOR ‘ELDER’ IN THE BIBLE ARE presbutero, sumpresbutero and presbuteriou. When used in the context of church leadership these Greek words always describe a person – this is a type of person. These words for ‘elder’ are never used as a verb in relation to church leadership. Here are all the instances in the new Testament where these Greek words are used in relation to the person who is a church leader. These words are used in other passages, but not in reference to church leadership: Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23; 16:4; 20:17; 21:18; 1 Timothy 4:14; 5:17, 19; Titus 1:5; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1; 2 John 1:1; 3 John 1:1.

THE GREEK NOUNS FOR ‘OVERSEER/BISHOP’ IN THE BIBLE ARE episkapous and episkapace. When used as a noun in relation to church leadership these Greek words refer to both a person in church leadership and to a thing. The person is a church leader and the thing is an office in the church. Here are all the instances in the new Testament where these Greek words are used in relation to the person who is a church leader. These words are used in other passages, but not in reference to church leadership: Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7. There is only one instance where this Greek word is used – in its noun form – in relation to an office of church leadership, 1 Timothy 3:1.

THE GREEK VERBAL (PARTICIPLE) FOR ‘EXERCISE OVERSIGHT/OVERSEE’ IN THE BIBLE IS episkapountes. As a verb it is an activity and 1 Peter 5:2 is the only place in the NT where this word – in its verb form – is used in relation to the person who is a church leader.

THE GREEK NOUN FOR ‘SHEPHERD/PASTOR’ IN THE BIBLE IS poimain. As a noun it refers to a person and Ephesians 4:11 is the only place in the NT where this word – in its noun form – is used in relation to the person who is a church leader. This word is used in other passages, but not in reference to the person who is a church leader.

THE GREEK VERB FOR ‘SHEPHERD/PASTOR’ IN THE BIBLE IS poimaino. As a verb it is an activity and Acts 20:28 and 1 Peter 5:2 are the only places in the NT where this word – in its verb form – is used in relation to the person who is a church leader.

SUMMARY OF THE BIBLICAL DATA

ELDER – In relation to church leadership, the Greek term for Elder (presbutero, sumpresbutero and presbuteriou) is always used as a noun that designates the person.

OVERSEER/BISHOP/EXERCISE OVERSIGHT – The English terms Overseer/Bishop are synonymous translations of the same Greek word. The term is used as a noun (episkapous and episkapace) and a verb (episkapountes) in relation to church leadership.

As a noun, it is used in two ways: first, it refers to a person; second, it refers to a position, an office. When used as a noun in reference to a person the term Overseer is synonymous with the term Elder. The man’s title is ‘Elder’ or ‘Overseer’. When used as a noun in reference to a position it refers to the office that the Elder/Overseer occupies. Thus, it is more appropriate to say that the Elder/Overseer occupies the biblical office of Overseer, rather than the office of Elder. When the term is used as a verb it broadly describes the type of ministry (exercising oversight) that Elder/Overseers are to be engaged in.

PASTOR/SHEPHERD – The English terms Pastor/Shepherd are synonymous translations of the same Greek word. This term is used as a noun (poimain) and a verb (poimaino). As a noun, this term is used to describe a spiritual gift given by God to the church and not a person or an office within the church. As a verb, this term is used in relation to church leadership, along with the term Overseer, to describe the type of ministry (shepherd the flock of God) that Elders/Overseers are to be engaged in.

ANSWER TO THE QUESTION

Are all elders pastors? According to the biblical data the answer is ‘yes’ if the role and duty of an elder is being discussed (used as verb). The answer is ‘no’ if a specific office is the issue (used as a noun).

The biblical question is not; Are all elders pastors?, but instead; Are all elders to pastor? ‘Pastor’ is not an office in the Bible, or in the church, but a gift (a noun) and a charge (a verb). It is a gift that some in the church have and hopefully those who serve in the office of overseer have this gift. But, it is also a charge and a duty that all elders/overseers are to fulfill.

1) The office is properly called the Office of Overseer.

2) The person is properly called Elder or Overseer.

3) The duties of the person in the office are Overseeing and Shepherding/Pastoring.