pastor title

I think an important point in this discussion is the distinction between leadership as a function and leadership titles. What Jesus spoke against was the use of honorary titles. The early church seems to have followed this teaching as we never see the use of any titles used by the New Testament writers towards their leaders. Someone my think it is insignificant, but I see an important difference between saying Paul, an apostle and the Apostle Paul. There is always an increasing tendency for religious leaders, as other leaders such as political leaders, to increase their status. So the word presbyteros evolved to become the English word priest, which in the NT is used interchangeably with episkopos which becomes the word bishop, paimen goes through Latin to be adopted as the English title Pastor. And what about reverend? It comes from the Latin word reverendus meaning to be honored. Not a big difference from the word Rabbi which comes from the Hebrew word ?? Rab meaning great. There was definitely an effort in the earliest church to avoid the use of titles that can be seen from the New Testament text. However, at the same time, there was leadership in practice. Paul, as humble as he was, still argued for his apostolic authority. Peter and James were leaders in the Jerusalem church that Paul also recognized, even if he was willing to challenge their theology. Paul encouraged the Thessalonian believers to respect those who are the leading ones p???staµe???? of them Thess. 5:12 The writer of Hebrews encourages the readers to be persuaded by the leading ones of you. pe??es?e t??? ????µe???? ?µ?? Heb 13:17. It is interesting that both the Thessalonian and Hebrews passages use a participle not a noun to express this leading or ruling capacity. The emphasis here again is on the function of the leadership and not on the title or position. The emphasis in the New Testament church leadership is the function of those who are gifted within the framework of a good example. This is what Paul argues as he claims apostolic authority, that he is called and gifted to be an apostle not by man, but by God, and that his example of service and life, evidences that he is one to be imitated as he follows Christ.