Origin of the concept "pastor"
By Mike Mitchell, 
past editor of Biblical Illustrator

One point I have tried to make is where the office of pastor originated. When I was editor of Biblical Illustrator back in the 80s, I did some research on this that proved interesting.

Without getting into a lengthy discussion of the Greek, here is the gist of it: The office of pastor arose in the second century, evidently created by Irenaeus. The noun (poimein - pastor) does not appear outside the Gospels.

Ephesians 4:11 has the verb form in a list of gifts - not offices - as pastor/teacher. The word most often is used in the New Testament of Christ and is rendered "shepherd."

The word used in 1 Timothy 3 that is translated "bishop" (and mistranslated "pastor") is presbuteros. The nearest thing we have to it today in the local church is a business administrator.

If you look closely, you'll notice that the spiritual characteristics desired of a bishop actually are less than those for deacon, the latter being asked to "hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience," something not demanded of the bishop.

Notice, too, that the bishop is to manage his own household well so that he can "take care of God's church" - a managerial post more than a spiritual role.

Translating presbuteros as "pastor" is an obvious error.