head pastor
Chief church shepherd
Head pastor is the senior minister of a church, typically one with multiple clergy or a large congregation.
The title emphasizes authority over other pastoral staff: The head pastor oversees three associate pastors.
Some denominations prefer senior pastor or lead pastor, but the terms are largely interchangeable.
- ministerReligious leader or serve
- preacherReligious sermon deliverer
- man of GodReligious leader or priest
- reverendWorthy of veneration
- shepherdOne who tends flocks
clergy · spiritual guidance · pulpit · congregation · sermon · Bible study · ordination · laying on hands · bishop · elder · rector · anointed · vestments · altar · Sunday · Sunday service · prayer meeting · pews
- church leadersrector, vicar, parson, preacher, reverend
- church rolesbishop, deacons, priest, lay readers, altar girl
- church staffaltar boy, parish priest, choirmaster, curate, church secretary
- clergypriest, bishop, pope, nun, monk
- preachersevangelist, preacher, minister, revivalist, parson
head pastorassistant pastor
Clergy member's subordinate helper
associate pastor · curate · youth pastor · deacon · lay minister
head pastorlayperson
Non-specialist or unordained person
congregant · parishioner · laity · flock · sheep
head, pastor, heads, headed, heading, header, headless, headship, pastoral