The Three-fold Description of Pastors:
A. presbuteros, the elder: The literal or basic meaning of this term signifies a person of extended age, that is, “older,” perhaps in contrast to younger people. It emphasized the maturity and wisdom which are associated with age. The chief idea of elder both in the Hebrew and Christian sense was that of presiding or ruling; he was the president of the assembly.
B. episkopos, the overseer or bishop: An episkopos is a man charged with the duty of seeing that the things done by others are done right. The terms “superintendent” and “guardian” are further legitimate meanings for the term.
C. poimen, the shepherd or pastor: Shepherds feed and lead. They lead in such a way that no individual member of the flock is able to disregard the shepherd. This requires a delicate balance between kindness and patience on one hand, and authority on the other.
All three terms for the pastor are applied to the same person (Acts 20:17, 38). While some churches recognize a distinction between teaching elders and ruling elders, most Baptist churches do not.