A word literally meaning “shepherd.” It is used in both the Old Testament and New Testament in a figurative sense for rulers and leaders. Of the 12 times the word is used in the New Testament as a metaphor for “leader,” it is translated as “pastor” only in Ephesians 4:11 (King James Version, American Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Today's English Version, New Living Translation).
Pastors and teachers together formed a group that complemented the work of apostles, prophets, and evangelists. The titles “bishop” and “elder” refer to the same office in the New Testament (compare Acts 20:17, 28; Titus 1:5–7). “Pastor” seems to have the same meaning as "bishop" and "elder," as shown by Jesus being referred to as “the Shepherd and Bishop [or Overseer] of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25, King James Version).
The verb “to shepherd” is used to describe the work of local church leaders (John 21:16; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2). Often the congregation is called a flock. It is the pastor’s responsibility to build up the body of Christ. The pastor builds up the body of Christ by watching over the congregation (Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:7) and opposing false teaching (Acts 20:29–30). More detailed information regarding the duties and responsibilities of pastors is found in Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus, which have come to be called the Pastoral Letters.