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Pastor: meaning, definitions and examples

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pastor

 

[ ˈpɑːstər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

religious leader

A pastor is a religious leader in charge of a congregation or church. They are responsible for leading worship services, providing spiritual guidance, and counseling members of the community. Pastors often play a central role in organizing community events and offering support to those in need.

Synonyms

clergyman, minister, priest.

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Word Description / Examples
pastor

Used predominantly in Protestant Christian denominations, a pastor is often the spiritual leader of a local church congregation. They are involved in preaching, teaching, and providing pastoral care.

  • The pastor delivered a moving sermon on Sunday
  • Pastor Johnson visited the family to provide comfort during their time of loss
minister

This term is often used in Protestant Christian denominations to refer to someone who conducts religious services, preaches, and provides spiritual guidance. It can also refer to members of the clergy in non-Christian religions.

  • The minister spoke about the importance of compassion
  • She has been a minister at the local church for over a decade
clergyman

A general term that refers to a male religious leader or official, regardless of denomination. This term is somewhat formal and can be used in various Christian traditions.

  • The clergyman officiated the wedding ceremony
  • As a clergyman, he is respected by many in the community
priest

Commonly used in Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican traditions, a priest is a religious leader who performs sacred rites, such as the Eucharist, and provides spiritual guidance to parishioners.

  • Father Michael is the parish priest at St
  • Mary's Church
  • The priest heard the confessions of the congregants

Examples of usage

  • The pastor delivered a powerful sermon during Sunday service.
  • The pastor visited the sick members of the congregation in the hospital.
  • The pastor offered words of comfort to the grieving family.
  • The pastor led the community in a prayer for peace.
  • The pastor officiated at the wedding ceremony.

Translations

Translations of the word "pastor" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pastor

🇮🇳 पादरी

🇩🇪 Pastor

🇮🇩 pendeta

🇺🇦 пастор

🇵🇱 pastor

🇯🇵 牧師 (ぼくし)

🇫🇷 pasteur

🇪🇸 pastor

🇹🇷 papaz

🇰🇷 목사 (moksa)

🇸🇦 قس

🇨🇿 pastor

🇸🇰 pastor

🇨🇳 牧师 (mùshī)

🇸🇮 pastor

🇮🇸 prestur

🇰🇿 пастор

🇬🇪 პასტორი

🇦🇿 pastor

🇲🇽 pastor

Etymology

The word 'pastor' comes from the Latin word 'pastor' which means 'shepherd'. In Christian tradition, pastors are often seen as shepherds who guide and care for their flock, drawing upon the biblical imagery of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. The role of a pastor has evolved over centuries, adapting to the changing needs of congregations and communities.

See also: antipasto, past, pasta, paste, pastime, pasture, pasty.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,491 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.