Evangelist Pastor

Definition and Meaning

An evangelist pastor is one of the titles given to a pastor. It designates a pastor who is not attached to a particular church and who is charged with evangelism and church planting. The title is used chiefly in the church constitutions of Presbyterian denominations. These constitutions generally define an evangelist pastor as "a pastor who, having been sent (formally commissioned) by the presbytery, establishes a church in an area where there is no church." Authority to organize the church so established and to administer the sacraments is likewise granted by resolution of the presbytery. The precise wording and the scope of this authority vary somewhat from denomination to denomination.

An evangelist pastor is distinct from a jeondosa (evangelist). A jeondosa is a ministry worker who has not been ordained as a pastor, whereas an evangelist pastor holds a particular status as an ordained pastor.

Biblical and Historical Background

The following passages are commonly cited as the basis for this title:

• Ephesians 4:11 lists "evangelists" among the offices given to the church.
• 2 Timothy 4:5 contains the exhortation "do the work of an evangelist."
• Acts 21:8 calls Philip "the evangelist."

Within Presbyterian polity, the title is understood to have entered the constitutions of Korean Presbyterian churches from the office of "evangelist" found in the form of government of American Presbyterianism. From its earliest years, Korean Presbyterianism had a tradition of presbyteries sending pastors to unevangelized areas. A frequently cited example is the Independent Presbytery's sending of Yi Ki-poong to Jeju as a missionary in 1907.

Practice in Korean Churches

• Presbyterian churches: The constitutions of several Presbyterian denominations, including the Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDong) and the Presbyterian Church of Korea (TongHap), list the evangelist pastor among the titles of pastors, alongside the installed pastor, pastor in charge, associate pastor, institutional pastor, and pastor without charge. In practice, this status is often held by a pastor who has started a church plant with the permission of the presbytery and who has charge of the new church while it has not yet formed a session. Once the church becomes established and is organized, the pastor's status changes to that of pastor in charge or installed pastor.
• As a title within a congregation: Some churches informally use the term "evangelist pastor" for an associate minister devoted to evangelism and newcomer ministry. In such cases the term differs in meaning from the constitutional title.
• Other denominations: Methodist, Holiness, Baptist, and Full Gospel denominations have structures for pastoral appointment and church planting that differ from those of Presbyterian churches. For this reason, they may not include a title by the same name in their constitutions, or they may use a different name. The designation for church-planting ministers should be confirmed in the constitution and regulations of each denomination.