Teacher

As the Greek test of Ephesians can be read as listing either five tasks or four (with the final two combined), the teacher is sometimes grouped in with the pastor, especially when talking about he task of teaching at the local level.

Different denominations put their emphasis on different items of this list of minister-types given to the church for its growth and maturity. The Presbyterians emphasized the teaching role of the minister, and referred to hi as the "teaching elder". They believed in an educated clergy, and insisted that their local ministers be very able to conduct the teaching function in the local setting.

It is interesting that when the Presbyterian economist, Adam Smith published his Wealth of Nations in 1776, he grouped churches in under the rubric of "Adult education", [] and suggested that the state would be well advised to sponsor these organizations in order to gain the economic benefits from this "free education". He also felt that by making them dependant on the state, they would cause less political trouble to the state[].

Denominations vary in the amount of education they require of their local "teachers", and the training for them takes place in Bible schools or Seminaries, frequently attached to Universities.

The formation of many of the institutions of higher learning in Western Canada arose out of the need for the Church denominations to train and educate their clergy, with the Baptists being responsible for Brandon University in Western Manitoba.