What Do Leadership Titles Mean

Minister:

The words minister, preacher, evangelist are used in the bible to refer to work done by one person. The word preacher is used in Romans 10:14. Evangelist is used in Ephesians 4:11. The word minister is used in I Timothy 4:6.

The words should be used to describe what a person does rather than a title.
The Bible sets forth the following things about the men who serve in this capacity.

  1. He is merely a man. He is not, as some seem to think, a special holy man without problems, trials and needs. This means, above other things, that he is subject to weaknesses of the flesh. He faces the same challenges that other children of God face.
  2. He is one who proclaims of the word of God. He is under the command to preach the word (II Timothy 4:1-5).
  3. He is a leader in the church. He is to be responsible for setting certain things in order. (Titus 1:5) & (II Timothy 2:2) & (Ephesians 4:11-15).
  4. He is a student of the Bible (II Timothy 2:15). The word of God is his life-long major.
  5. He is to be an example for others to follow (I Timothy 4:12,15).

Elder: Titus 1: 6-9 (NIV)
See Paper:

6An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless–not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it

Deacon: 1 Timothy 3: 8-12 (NIV)

8Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
11In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
12A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well.