Pastor vs. Bishop

by Anna Windermere

Many terms describe clergy members of Christian churches, including pastor, elder, bishop, reverend, minister and priest. The hierarchy of ordained church personnel varies depending on a church's denomination. "Pastor" and "bishop," however, are both names for a church leader, along with the term "elder."

Biblical Meanings

According to the BibleTrack website, no distinction between the terms pastor, bishop or elder exists in the Scriptures -- all refer to leaders and decision-makers who are led by God to oversee a local church congregation. The book "What People Ask About The Church,” by Dale A. Robbins, says that pastor or bishop usually refers to the office held, and elder usually refers to the person. Bishop translates to "overseer" and pastor translates to "shepherd."


Those who take on this position might be formally ordained after proving that they are capable of ministering to people's needs, but smaller congregations might be led by self-declared pastors who are familiar with Scripture. BibleTrack says that the Apostle Paul in the New Testament clearly lays out the qualification for a pastor or bishop in his letters to Timothy and Titus. Overall, the pastor must be able to set a good example for the congregation he serves. Some important characteristics include: willing to serve, hospitable, peaceful, patient, sober, experienced, righteous and able to teach.


Pastors generally oversee or supervise the activities of a church. They are essentially "shepherds" who minister to their "flock," that is, the churchgoers who attend services and activities. Usually they preach sermons to the congregation -- most likely on Sundays -- teaching them how to apply Scripture to their lives, and leading them in prayer. They may offer them counseling. Additionally, they may lead Christian ceremonies for baptism, Communion, funerals and weddings.

Denominational Differences

Modern-day churches recognize different roles for pastors and bishops depending upon the denomination. Methodists, Episcopalians, Lutherans and Catholics recognize bishops in roles above the congregational level, while other denominations recognize pastor and bishop equally as leaders of a congregation. Still others make distinctions between pastor and bishop although either might lead a congregation.

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