Pastor Defined
What Is an Evangelical Protestant Christian Pastor?
At Christian Chaplains & Coaching, we affirm the biblical, historic, and theological understanding of the pastoral office in the New Testament. We ordain qualified men called by God to serve as pastors—men marked by Christlike character, sound doctrine, and missional leadership. We also joyfully partner with churches to ordain both men and women as chaplains who lead and serve in mission.
A pastor is called by God to shepherd the local church through the ministry of the Word, prayer, and spiritual oversight. In Scripture, the terms pastor, elder, and overseer are used interchangeably to describe this one office. A pastor leads by teaching sound doctrine, modeling Christlike character, and equipping believers for ministry and mission, as described in Ephesians 4:12–13 and 1 Timothy 3:1–7.
Biblical Office of Pastor
A Biblical Office with Three Expressions: In the New Testament, one office is described with three words: overseer, elder, and pastor. Each highlights a facet of the same calling—governing, mature character and teaching, and shepherding care (Acts 20:17,28; Titus 1:5–9; 1 Pet. 5:1–4). For clarity, we use pastor throughout.
- Overseer (episkopos) — Emphasizes the authority of the pastoral office. A pastor must lead and govern the church under the headship of Christ.
- Elder (presbyteros) — Highlights the maturity and character of the man who serves. An elder must be spiritually grounded and “able to teach” (1 Timothy 3:2).
- Pastor (poimēn) — Often used as a verb in the New Testament, this term reflects what pastors do: shepherd and care for God’s people.
Every believer is called to minister. Every believer is called to be pastoral in their interactions. But these three words—Overseer, Elder, and Pastor describe an office of authority in the church, to the church, and for the church. They are used interchangeably in Scripture (Acts 20:17, 28; Titus 1:5–9; 1 Peter 5:1–4), always referring to the same office. For clarity and consistency, we use the term Pastor throughout this description.
Do not confuse "Pastor" (the noun-an office) with "pastoral" (the verb-to care for). A believer may be pastoral without being a pastor. Chaplains exercise pastoral authority in the exercise of pastoral care while the "Pastor" exercises oversight authority over the church where they serve in the office.
In keeping with a complementarian reading of Scripture, we ordain qualified men to this office, as outlined in 1 Timothy 2:12 and 1 Timothy 3:1–7, where the qualifications for elders include being “the husband of one wife” and exercising spiritual authority through teaching sound biblical doctrine.
We partner with all Evangelical Churches to ordain both men and women as chaplains and primary leaders of missional communities. Whether your church is complementarian or egalitarian, we are eager to partner with you.
Job Description of Pastor
The Pastor’s Primary Calling: Equipping the Saints for the work of ministry.
The clearest biblical job description for a pastor is found in Ephesians 4:12–13: “To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ…”
According to the Granville Sharp rule in Greek grammar, the phrase “the pastor and teacher” indicates one office.
Though it is possible to be a teacher without being a pastor, one cannot be a pastor without the ability to teach. See 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:9.
The pastor-teacher who holds the office of pastor is entrusted with the authority to lead God’s people primarily through sound biblical teaching and doctrinal instruction.
Pastors equip the saints, or believers, for ministry. As Pastor and author Bill Hull explains in The Disciple-Making Pastor, the pastor’s primary calling is to equip the saints (Eph. 4:12–13). The phrase “pastor-teacher” signals a single office marked by the ability to teach. As Bill Hull notes, equipping looks like: (1) teach what and why; (2) show how and do it together; (3) send and deploy for mission.
This pattern ensures that the church matures into Christlikeness and becomes a powerful witness in the world. We strongly believe that raising up and training men and women to serve as Chaplains as "Equipped Saints" can contribute significantly to church growth and outward community-oriented service that reaches the lost.
Created For Mission.
Discipleship Requires Mission
We believe that true discipleship cannot happen apart from mission. Activities like Bible studies, worship services, prayer meetings, and fellowship meals—while beneficial—do not constitute discipleship unless they are joined with intentional, outward-facing ministry.
Acts 2:37–47 offers a compelling portrait of the early church: a Spirit-empowered community that was both inwardly devoted to one another, engaged in attending church, learning from the Apostles teaching (now the pastor), and outwardly engaged in serving the needs of the hurting people in their community while reaching the lost.
Because of their witness and favor among outsiders, God added to their number daily those who were being saved In that same spirit, we teach our pastors to develop small group ministries that live on mission together in their communities. These groups are not merely social or educational—they are missional teams led by mature, trained lay ordained chaplains from within the congregation.
We believe discipleship thrives on mission. The Acts 2 church devoted themselves to worship and the Apostles’ teaching, and they also served their neighbors; God added to their number daily. In that same spirit, we cultivate missional communities—small groups that live as a spiritual family on mission, often led by ordained chaplains, serving specific neighbors such as residents of nursing homes, first responders, inmates, and people recovering from addiction, grief, or trauma
Both men and women may serve as an ordained chaplain, and we encourage their training and deployment in community ministry. These chaplains help their small groups serve a specific people group such as: Residents of nursing homes, or inmates in jails and prisons, first responders, people recovering from addiction, abuse, grief, or trauma, inner city, and much more. Pray that your flock will have a heart to serve people in your area.
Each small group, or what we like to call “missional community” becomes a spiritual family on mission, reflecting the love of Christ while bringing the gospel in both word and deed, putting changed life in Christ on display. Showing the lost what it looks like when the Body of Christ shows up during their storm.
What it means to Pastor with us!
Our pastors will be serious and committed to each of the following:
- Biblically qualified (1 Tim. 3; Titus 1)
- Diligent in study to present himself approved (2 Tim. 2:15)
- Rooted in Scripture and exercising the care and authority of the office
- Actively shepherding and equipping believers through teaching, mentoring, and coaching
- Leading a missional church that forms small groups serving the community, with ordained chaplains (men and women) as primary leaders
- Multiplying disciples and leaders who develop others for mission
If you are sensing God’s call to serve in this way, we welcome you to explore ordination with us. Equipping the saints for missional living, disciples making disciples that make disciples, and leaders producing leaders that make leaders.
Minimum Requirements
Minimum for Provisional Ordination
Candidates must meet the biblical qualifications for elders (Titus 1:5–9; 1 Tim. 3:1–7; 1 Pet. 5:1–4). We ask for three years of documented ministry experience (e.g., staff pastor, chaplain, or similar roles appropriate for spiritual and pastoral care).
Candidates should have at least two years of college (associate degree or higher) or be currently enrolled in a bachelor’s program and at least 21 years old. A pastor’s or elder’s recommendation (3+ years knowing you) and one non-family personal reference (5+ years) are required.
All candidates complete a background check; exceptions for a prior record may be considered with credible evidence of repentance and life change. Candidates needing further preparation commit to moving forward in education as described below, and to leading in our missional community model.
Requirements and Expectations
Full Ordination
Candidates progress to full ordination by
(1) earning a master’s degree in ministry, theology, or divinity;
(2) completing four CPE courses through our Chaplains Academy;
(3) completing the Certified Christian Life Coaching program;
(4) practicing regular spiritual disciplines (prayer, Bible study, retreats); and
(5) participating in accountable brotherhood with one or two trusted men for confession and growth.
We typically walk with candidates to complete these within 5–10 years of provisional ordination.
Continuing Education Requirements
Continuing Education Requirements
Lives centered on the Gospel of Christ are serious about the hard work of study!
We require a minimum of 50 hours of approved continuing education each year (see our approved list). We encourage 100+ hours annually for those able. Courses taken to meet full-ordination requirements count toward your annual CE.
Application for Membership
Ready to begin?
• Complete the online Application for Ordination.
• Ask your pastor/elder and personal reference to send recommendations.
• We’ll contact you to schedule an interview and background check.
Questions? Write to Communications@ChristianChaplains.org.