基督教中的牧师一职
牧师不管在哪里都是牧师，长老离开自己的教会就不是长老了。
中文维基百科上说：
牧師的一詞源於拉丁語的pastor，而希臘文為ποιμην ，與《新約聖經·以弗所書》4:11有關。《聖經和合本》譯「他所賜的有使徒、有先知．有傳福音的．有牧師和教師」，但此經文在其他聖經譯本卻有不同譯法，如牧人（《聖經 (呂振中譯本)》和《聖經恢復本》）、司牧（《聖經 (思高譯本)》）、牧養（《聖經新譯本》）。
許多學者認為，基督教在3世紀後受到周圍異教徒的影響，將神父和主教的職務自一般信徒分離出來。在這個時候開始，一位主教可以監督全城或教區的信徒。宗教改革後，加爾文、慈運理和其他改革者以牧師取代天主教的神父。不同的是：新教教會由牧師和獨立的長老管理，牧師並可以结婚。
一般來說，每一間新教教會最少有一個牧師的；如果沒有，就會由傳道人帶領教會；如果連傳道也沒有的話，那就由不受薪的幾個執事／長老共同管理。這些情況常見於一些信徒不多的小型教會。牧師的資格一般最少要有一個神學學士學位。但在一些靈恩派教會中，有些牧師可以是完全沒有接受任何神學訓練便被按立成為牧師的，這常常引致一些神學思想極為奇怪的人成為牧師，引致異端出現。[來源請求]
東正教的神職人員也有時被翻譯成牧師，而猶太教的拉比也有時被稱作牧師，但不普遍。
由二十世紀開始，女性亦可以成为牧师。然而，在某些教會中（如浸信會），女性擔任牧師還不普遍；在另一些教會（如信義會），女性出任牧師是很普遍的）。在某些教會的三級聖品制裡，牧師上一級是主教，低一級是會吏。而在公理制的新教教會中，主任牧師則成了一間教會裡最高的決策者。
英國或其他國家的國教教會的牧師，尤是聖公會和衛理會的牧師，英文稱之為Minister，中文譯「會長」；如果是指非國教教會的牧師，尤是美國的教會，英文稱之為Pastor；頭銜為Reverend。
一些新教徒認為，牧師的稱謂違背了所有信徒皆祭司的教義，因此拒絕使用這個詞和牧師聘用制度，其中包括門諾會和一些受弟兄運動影響的教會。
在中文和合本和英文NIV版本圣经中牧师(paster）只出现过一次，就是以弗所书4章11节。
11
他所赐的有使徒，有先知。有传福音的。有牧师和教师。It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
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为要成全圣徒，各尽其职，建立基督的身体。to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
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直等到我们众人在真道上同归于一，认识神的儿子，得以长大成人，满有基督长成的身量。until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
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使我们不再作小孩子，中了人的诡计，和欺骗的法术，被一切异教之风摇动，飘来飘去，就随从各样的异端。Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
在哥林多前书12:28，圣灵的恩赐：
28
神在教会所设立的，第一是使徒。第二是先知，第三是教师。其次是行异能的。再次是得恩赐医病的。帮助人的。治理事的。说方言的。And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.
29
岂都是使徒吗？岂都是先知吗？岂都是教师吗？岂都是行异能的吗？Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?
30
岂都是得恩赐医病的吗？岂都是说方言的吗？岂都是翻方言的吗？Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
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你们要切切地求那更大的恩赐，我现今把最妙的道指示你们。But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.
我们对照这两处，发现，《林前》没有牧师，但是《林前》和《以弗所书》都有：使徒，先知，教师。
他所赐的有使徒，有先知。有传福音的。有牧师和教师。
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
神在教会所设立的，第一是使徒。第二是先知，第三是教师。其次是行异能的。再次是得恩赐医病的。帮助人的。治理事的。说方言的。
And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.
次序也一样，因此牧师就是教师吧？
现在不少教会有副牧师，其实就是教师，坐堂牧师/主任牧师，牧师，副牧师/教师。
和合本圣经中教师出现6次：
以赛亚书 30:20 主虽然以艰难给你当饼，以困苦给你当水，你的教师却不再隐藏，你眼必看见你的教师。
路加福音 2:46 过了三天，就遇见他在殿里，坐在教师中间，一面听，一面问。
使徒行传 13:1 在安提阿的教会中，有几位先知和教师，就是巴拿巴，和称呼尼结的西面，古利奈人路求，与分封之王希律同养的马念，并扫罗。
哥林多前书 12:28 神在教会所设立的，第一是使徒。第二是先知，第三是教师。其次是行异能的。再次是得恩赐医病的。帮助人的。治理事的。说方言的。
以弗所书 4:11 他所赐的有使徒，有先知。有传福音的。有牧师和教师。
哥林多前书 12:29 岂都是使徒吗？岂都是先知吗？岂都是教师吗？岂都是行异能的吗？
看使徒行转13章1-13节：
1
在安提阿的教会中，有几位先知和教师，就是巴拿巴，和称呼尼结的西面，古利奈人路求，与分封之王希律同养的马念，并扫罗。In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.
2
他们事奉主，禁食的时候，圣灵说，要为我分派巴拿巴和扫罗，去作我召他们所作的工。While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
3
于是禁食祷告，按手在他们头上，就打发他们去了。So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
4
他们既被圣灵差遣，就下到西流基，从那里坐船往居比路去。The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.
5
到了撒拉米，就在犹太人各会堂里传讲神的道。也有约翰作他们的帮手。When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.
6
经过全岛，直到帕弗，在那里遇见一个有法术假充先知的犹太人，名叫巴耶稣。They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus,
7
这人常和方伯士求保罗同在，士求保罗是个通达人。他请了巴拿巴和扫罗来，要听神的道。who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God.
8
只是那行法术的以吕马，（这名翻出来就是行法术的意思）敌挡使徒，要叫方伯不信真道。But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.
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扫罗又名保罗，被圣灵充满定睛看他，Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said,
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说，你这充满各样诡诈奸恶，魔鬼的儿子，众善的仇敌，你混乱主的正道还不止住吗？"You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?
11
现在主的手加在你身上。你要瞎眼，暂且不见日光。他的眼睛立刻昏蒙黑暗，四下里求人拉着手领他。Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun." Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
12
方伯看见所作的事，很希奇主的道，就信了。When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
13
保罗和他的同人，从帕弗开船，来到旁非利亚的别加。约翰就离开他们回耶路撒冷去。From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.
这几个人是巴拿巴，西面，路求，马念和扫罗（保罗），他们是先知和教师。13节的约翰是马可，正是因为马可此次离开了他们，后来保罗和巴拿巴起争执，结果巴拿巴跟马可，保罗跟西拉，各自去传福音建立教会。保罗不列在十二使徒之列，但是保罗也是使徒，是外邦人的使徒。罗马书11章13节：
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我对你们外邦人说这话。因我是外邦人的使徒，所以敬重我的职分。（敬重原文作荣耀）
I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry
这个保罗是使徒，不是保罗自己自封的，保罗曾经当面指责彼得，但是彼得还曾为保罗背书，在彼得后书3:15-16：
1
亲爱的弟兄啊，我现在写给你们的是第二封信。这两封都是提醒你们，激发你们诚实的心。
Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.
2
叫你们记念圣先知预先所说的话，和主救主的命令，就是使徒所传给你们的。
I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.
3
第一要紧的，该知道在末世必有好讥诮的人，随从自己的私欲出来讥诮说，
First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
4
主要降临的应许在哪里呢？因为从列祖睡了以来，万物与起初创造的时候仍是一样。
They will say, "Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."
5
他们故意忘记，从太古凭神的命有了天，并从水而出借水而成的地。
But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water.
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故此，当时的世界被水淹没就消灭了。
By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.
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但现在的天地，还是凭着那命存留，直留到不敬虔之人受审判遭沉沦的日子，用火焚烧。
By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
8
亲爱的弟兄啊，有一件事你们不可忘记，就是主看一日如千年，千年如一日。
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
9
主所应许的尚未成就，有人以为他是耽延，其实不是耽延，乃是宽容你们，不愿有一人沉沦，乃愿人人都悔改。
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
10
但主的日子要像贼来到一样。那日天必大有响声废去，有形质的都要被烈火销化。地和其上的物都要烧尽了。
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
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这一切既然都要如此销化，你们为人该当怎样圣洁，怎样敬虔，
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives
12
切切仰望神的日子来到。在那日天被火烧就销化了，有形质的都要被烈火熔化。
as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.
13
但我们照他的应许，盼望新天新地，有义居在其中。
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
14
亲爱的弟兄啊，你们既盼望这些事，就当殷勤，使自己没有玷污，无可指摘，安然见主。
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
15
并且要以我主长久忍耐为得救的因由，就如我们所亲爱的兄弟保罗，照着所赐给他的智慧，写了信给你们。
Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.
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他一切的信上，也都是讲论这事。信中有些难明白的，那无学问不坚固的人强解，如强解别的经书一样，就自取沉沦。
He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
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亲爱的弟兄啊，你们既然预先知道这事，就当防备，恐怕被恶人的错谬诱惑，就从自己坚固的地步上坠落。
Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.
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你们却要在我们主救主耶稣基督的恩典和知识上有长进。愿荣耀归给他，从今直到永远。阿们。
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
