Hey, Divya:
I went ahead and looked it up myself....
http://www.eliyah.com/cgi-bin/strongs.cgi?file=greeklexicon&isindex=pastor
Result of search for "pastor":
32. aggelos ang'-el-os from aggello (probably derived from 71; compare 34) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor:--angel, messenger.
1249. diakonos dee-ak'-on-os probably from an obsolete diako (to run on errands; compare 1377); an attendant, i.e. (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specially, a Christian teacher and pastor (technically, a deacon or deaconess):--deacon, minister, servant.
http://cf.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1249&Version=kjv
Lexicon Results for
diakonos (Strong's G1249)
Greek for G1249
διάκονος Transliteration
diakonos
Pronunciation
dē-ä'-ko-nos
(Key)
Part of Speech
masculine/feminine noun
Root Word (Etymology)
probably from an obsolete diako (to run on errands, cf
G1377)
TDNT Reference
Vines
Outline of Biblical Usage
1) one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, attendant, minister
a) the servant of a king
b) a deacon, one who, by virtue of the office assigned to him by the church, cares for the poor and has charge of and distributes the money collected for their use
c) a waiter, one who serves food and drink
4166. poimen poy-mane' of uncertain affinity; a shepherd (literally or figuratively):--shepherd, pastor.
Lexicon Results for
poimēn (Strong's G4166)
Greek for G4166
ποιμήν Transliteration
poimēn
Pronunciation
poi-mā'n
(Key)
Part of Speech
masculine noun
Root Word (Etymology)
of uncertain affinity
TDNT Reference
Vines
Outline of Biblical Usage
1) a herdsman, esp. a shepherd
a) in the parable, he to whose care and control others have committed themselves, and whose precepts they follow
2) metaph.
a) the presiding officer, manager, director, of any assembly: so of Christ the Head of the church
1) of the overseers of the Christian assemblies
2) of kings and princes
Responding to what's below in red: Although Phoebe was not a "pastor" in the sense that we know it today, I believe this explanation still does not EXCLUDE women from pastoral leadership, as long as they have a male covering. In this case, the Apostle Paul would have (and did) served as Phoebe's spiritual covering/authority so that she has Paul's permission and support to minister to the church at Cenchrea.
Women Ministers?
What about Phoebe? Notice:
"I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant [Greek: diakonos] of the church which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also" (Romans 16:1-2, KJV).
She was a diakonos. Does that mean she held the "office of deaconess"?
Make no mistake about it: Phoebe was a diakonos -- a minister! Notice a few different translations of this verse:
"I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me" (verses 1-2, NIV). "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae" (verse 1, NRSV). "
And I commend you to Phebe our sister -- being a ministrant of the assembly that is in Cenchrea" (Young's Literal Translation).
Was Phoebe a minister? Oh, absolutely. Paul says so. Was she a church pastor? Probably not.She was a ministrant or servant, one who was actually
serving the needs of others. When men take to themselves the title of "minister," only to become the man in charge and boss people around, that man is
not a minister -- he's the boss man.
Rest of this at link:
http://www.biblestudy.org/basicart/are-female-ministers-in-the-bible.html