Where does the idea of a head pastor come from?

But pastors/ministers are Biblical and is how Paul and the other NT writers portray church government.

Would an elder, as mentioned in Acts 14, be considered a pastor?

By the second century, there are references to churches having one leader over the elders called a 'bishop'. The letters attributed to Ignatius use that language. Clement uses 'bishop' to refer to elders like the Bible does. But the one bishop over the elders seems pretty widespread. This was not one 'senior pastor' per congregation necessarily. The bishop is on the city level. In the second century, some of them could have met in one place. The Bible does not teach the system of one bishop over the elders of a city. It is based on church tradition.

I've looked and looked in the New Testament but can't find a justification for a "head pastor" of a church in a position of preeminence over everyone else. Where did this idea come from?

Fair enough. What scriptures, specifically, are you talking about?

Church leadership and government is a difficult thorny issue. As seen in the conversation, we tend to react to any "head pastor" who wields power or influence selfishly. And rightly so - Christ, not man, is the head of the church.

But pastors/ministers are Biblical and is how Paul and the other NT writers portray church government. Those who reject pastoral leadership often go one of two ways:
(1) A group of "elders" (various titles are used) who form a board who govern the church. They then fire/hire the pastor at will. The downfall of this is that often these elders hold the sway of the church by seniority, monetary success, influence, etc.
(2) Some try to govern the church "by the people." This is a democracy - rule by the people. But then the majority rule the church -- and decisions made by such a "majority" may or may not be Biblical.

I think the answer is to have a plural ministry who together as a team lead the church. On teams such as this, each one on the team will have differing gifts - one may have the gift of "administration" and so he naturally calls meetings, organizes, etc. Another may have the gift of preaching and does most of the Sunday sermons. Another may be an exhorter who does well with relationships. In such a system of leadership the one with the gift of "administration" often becomes the "leader" by default" - but all of the team of pastors should have equal authority and influence and each has an equal "vote".

This is a good example because we know Jeremiah was a Prophet. But Jeremiah thought of himself not as a Prophet, but as a Shepherd/Pastor.

Jeremiah is acknowledging that he was a Shepherd/Pastor following the example of Yahweh. This is a good example because we know Jeremiah was a Prophet. But Jeremiah thought of himself not as a Prophet, but as a Shepherd/Pastor.

Thanks for posting those scriptures.

I agree there are pastors (i.e., shepherds, for that is the meaning of the Greek: poimenas—a shepherd). But where does it say anything about a "lead" shepherd or even one shepherd who's singled out among the others? 1 Peter 5:1-4 says:

"So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory."

Here the elders are called shepherds. No mention of a lead shepherd; Jesus is called the Chief Shepherd.

I also wonder where the idea of "governors" comes from? Governors are usually those who make rules and enforce them. Peter tells the elders to not be domineering but to be examples. He also tells them to exercise oversight. To me oversight seems quite different than governing. An overseer watches over the flock to make sure they aren't ravaged by wolves or harmed in some manner; ensures they have good pasture; or steers them in the right direction (by example). For the life of me I can't figure out where we got the idea from scripture that the responsibility of the elders is to hire or fire a pastor, organize or govern.

I was led to believe that Jeremiah was a bullfrog.

I was led to believe that Jeremiah was a bullfrog.

The word "bishop" was never used in early writings of the church till after the formation of the RCC.
Clement's "translation" may have used the word, but it's not a proper translation at all.
The RCC, the church of England, and others have used this word to take authority that didn't belong to them.

The KJV "uses" bishop, but again, mistranslated. It should have been either 'elder' or 'overseer', with no claims to authority at all.

The word 'bishop' comes from 'episkopos' in Greek. The word has historically been translated 'bishop' into English. The word shows up in the New Testament and writings of the early church.
In the New Testament 'presbuteros' translates as 'elder' and 'episkopos' translates as 'bishop' or 'overseer.'

I've looked and looked in the New Testament but can't find a justification for a "head pastor" of a church in a position of preeminence over everyone else. Where did this idea come from?

I used to go to a "church" with a lead pastor.
Other people in the 'in-crowd' would also preach.

It was essentially a way for the pastor to reduce his workload by getting other people to do the work he should have been doing.

I used to go to a "church" with a lead pastor.
Other people in the 'in-crowd' would also preach.

It was essentially a way for the pastor to reduce his workload by getting other people to do the work he should have been doing.