Sounds like we’re on the same page, as usual. ;>D

Part of the problem is probably the false dichotomy between pastors and preachers.

Honestly, I don’t like the word “preacher.” NT preaching seems to be most evangelistic, while teaching is for believers. And that would fit Paul’s encouragement to Timothy to “do the work of an evangelist.”

I would see 1 Timothy and Titus as more “pastoral” and 2 Timothy as more “personal,” given Timothy’s issues at the time.

And I agree with your last assessment of different levels of ability in teaching, but that all elders are to be teachers at some level.

I’m not sure you can differentiate between public preaching and the presenting sound doctrine and refuting false doctrine that all pastors would do. Teaching is teaching in the Scriptures. Some are better at it than others, and some work at it harder than others (1 Tim 5:17-18), but all shepherds shepherd, and all leaders lead by teaching.

I believe that elders = pastors = overseers. That doesn’t mean that some are not better at what you call pastoring, and others are better at communicating the Word.

I would see Timothy as a pastor that was directed by an apostle, so anything in 1 & 2 Timothy are for pastors, not for apostles.

I fully embrace the Scriptural basis for multiple elders, and I would agree that having more than 1 elder does make it easier. Men differ in gifts, in levels of ability, in personality, in experience, in realms of expertise (OT, NT, counseling, etc.). Some are better at doing raw study (from scratch). Others are best suited to teach established curriculum (basic core topics and classes).

Kevin,

I’m not convinced this is true as a blanket statement. Certainly, all elders are to be able to present sound doctrine and refute false doctrine (Titus 1:9), but does that necessarily demand that they all be involved in public preaching?

Secondly, people often use 2 Timothy 4:2 to show that all pastors are to be preachers (I don’t know if you do or not), but I don’t see that as a valid use of that verse. Timothy was an apostle (especially in Paul’s absence), not a local church pastor. He was also shirking his responsibilities in that role (see my post “Run Hard, Finish Strong” for why I think this is so), so Paul was reminding him to do that.

I don’t think that’s a prescriptive statement that all local church pastors are to have as their a main role public preaching or teaching. (Otherwise, 1 Timothy 5:17-18 is just an encouragement to work harder.)

I think this actually helps open the Scriptural door for multiple elders in the church. In my experience, it’s nearly impossible for one man to effectively do all of the pastoring and teaching. Something will suffer (usually his family first!). With multiple elders, the pastoring can be done very well without stealing teaching prep time. It’s a win-win scenario for the people and the pastors.

The pastoring and teaching gifts are certainly distinct, even though they’re closely connected. The fact is that it’s very difficult to do both extremely well. You’re right, when each part does it’s job, the whole thing works much better.