All scripture references, unless otherwise noted, are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible. The Hebrew and Greek meaning of the words mentioned are from Strong's Hebrew-Greek Dictionary.
Some just packed their bags and went. Have you ever heard that comment? I have said that many times, always with my tongue in my cheek. The apostle Paul gave the qualifications of a pastor in 1st Timothy 3:1-7, "This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." I must say that throughout my walk with God I have desired, "...the office of a bishop..." It is a good work!
I have always understood that a bishop was the same as a pastor. According to Strong's Hebrew-Greek dictionary the meaning of a bishop in verse 1 is, "episkopē (pronounced) ep-is-kop-ay' From G1980; inspection (for relief); by implication superintendence; specifically the Christian “episcopate”: - the office of a “bishop”, bishoprick, visitation." In verse 2 a slightly different word for bishop is used, "episkopos (pronounced) ep-is'-kop-os From G1909 and G4649 (in the sense of G1983); a superintendent, that is, Christian officer in general charge of a (or the) church (literally or figuratively): - bishop, overseer." They are very close in meaning. Verse 1 seems more formal than verse 2 however. Either way I have never felt worthy to be a pastor of folks because of the fact that I just packed my bags and went.
The word pastor is not found in the New Testament. The word pastors is and has the meaning, "poimēn (pronounced) poy-mane' Of uncertain affinity; a shepherd (literally or figuratively): - shepherd, pastor." Jesus is invariably referred to in the New Testament as the good shepherd, the great shepherd, etc. in most of the references to the word shepherd, whether speaking of the Lord Jesus or not, all use the word, "poimēn," with the exception of 1st Peter 5:4 which says, "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." Here the word for chief Shepherd is, "archipoimēn (pronounced) ar-khee-poy'-mane From G746 and G4166; a head shepherd: - chief shepherd." The Lord Jesus is the chief Shepherd!
I said all of this to say, "some are called, some are sent. Some just packed their bags and went."
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