Presbyter in the New Testament refers to a leader in local Christian congregations, then a synonym of episkopos (which has now come to mean bishop). In modern usage, it's distinct from bishop and synonymous with priest, pastor, elder, or minister in various Christian denominations. Etymology The word presbyter derives from Greek πρεσβύτερος (presbyteros), the comparative form of πρέσβυς (presbus), "elder".… (More on Presbyters)