Pastors Vs Ministers
Pastors Vs Ministers
What is the difference between a youth pastor and a youth minister?
We use the terms pastor, senior pastor, music minister, associate pastor, youth pastor, children’s minister. We use these terms in Baptist churches today, and we use them in our church. But the Bible gives us direction on what it means to be a pastor and what it means to be a minister. And so we can see what the Bible says on the topic and be more precise in the titles we use in our church.
There are three words used synonymously in the Bible for pastor: pastor, bishop / overseer, and elder. We know these are used synonymously because they are used that way in Acts 20:17, 28. Paul addresses the Ephesian elders with the term elders, then calls them overseers / bishops, and then describes them as shepherds / pastors (even though he doesn’t say the word pastor).
These words describe the pastor's task: shepherd, oversee, and elder. You could sum it up by saying that the pastors shepherd, guide, and oversee where everyone is heading, and lead them by example down that path (Acts 20:28ff; 1 Peter 5:2-4). One of the main ways that a pastor carries out this task is through teaching and preaching the Bible (Titus 1:9; Ephesians 4:11; 2 Timothy 4:2). Acts 6:2-4 also shows us that the word of God and prayer are foundational for the good of the church, and so it is no wonder that the Apostles in that passage, and leaders in the church today, are right to focus their time and efforts around these two areas. Ministry of the word and prayer are what a pastor must do.
Jesus says in Ephesians 5 that He has a plan to cleanse His bride, the church, and He will accomplish that plan through the washing of water with the word. Jesus' plan is that we would grow in holiness through the Bible. That’s why pastors are given the role of serving the word to the church. It’s not that other areas of ministry aren’t important. But this is the role Jesus has given to pastors so that the church might grow in holiness and become what Jesus wants, equipped to build each other up in love. This is how pastors fit into Jesus’ plan for the church. This is their role: to minister the word and to pray. That is how they can shepherd and oversee and set the example for the church.
One application from this truth: if you want to help a pastor, a good question to ask would be “What area can I help in so that they are freed up to focus on what they’re called to do (focus on ministry of the word and prayer)?” That's a good way to serve anyone, and it is definitely applicable to supporting pastors.
In Greek, the word for minister is 'deaconos.' That word looks like another word - deacon. That's because it's the same word that is translated as deacon in other places in the New Testament. Sometimes that word is used as a title (deacon), but usually, that word in the NT is just translated as servant or minister. It’s not a title or an office, it’s just what you do. You remember the famous verse - Jesus came not to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45) - that’s the same root word. Jesus came to serve, that was His example, and all of us are meant to follow in His footsteps, and the Holy Spirit will lead us in those footsteps.
Simply put, minister just means servant. It’s something that should characterize all Christians. We are all ministers. It’s just that the music minister is specifically focused in serving the church through music or the youth minister is focused on serving the youth in the church.
So what is the difference between a worship pastor and a music minister? Or what is the difference between a youth pastor and a youth minister?
In both cases, they have an area of emphasis (music, youth, etc.). In both cases you’re trying to lead in that area to the best of your abilities for the good and growth of the church. But as a pastor, you have more responsibility and more authority. You're not just serving in that area, the Bible says pastors have accountability for the souls under their care and the authority that goes with that responsibility. That weight of responsibility is not given to ministers or directors.
Whenever we give someone the title of "Pastor" - be it senior pastor, youth pastor, worship pastor, etc. - we should view that person as a God-given shepherd in the church. They are not just helping out in this area. They are a pastor, a leader who carries the responsibilities and authority that accompanies the title of pastor in the Bible, which means that he must also have a life that lines up with the qualifications given for pastors as well.