pastor
Shepherd of souls
A pastor is a minister or priest in charge of a Christian church or congregation.
The word comes from the Latin for shepherd, and pastors are understood to tend their flocks spiritually—guiding, teaching, and caring for members.
Our pastor gave a moving sermon on forgiveness.
The role varies across denominations, from Catholic priests to Protestant ministers to nondenominational church leaders.
Religious leader or serve
- preacherReligious sermon deliverer
- reverendWorthy of veneration
- priestOne who performs sacraments
- vicarClergy substitute for bishop
rector · chaplain · parson · clergyman · bishop · deacon · elder · ordained
Clergy's worship address
- pulpitChurch speaking platform
- homilyReligious discourse on scripture
- scriptureSacred religious writings
- gospelSacred choral tradition
bible · message · exhortation · evangelism · testimony · doctrine · theology · exegesis
Trust held as true
- salvationDeliverance from harm
- spiritualityConnection to the sacred
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- worshipReligious reverence and praise
prayer · grace · redemption · sanctification · holiness · righteousness · blessing · anointing
Animals gathered together
- parishionersMembers of local congregation
- churchPlace of Christian worship
- assemblyConstructing from components
- worshipersThose who show reverence
believers · members · fellowship · laity · churchgoers · disciples · adherents · faithful
Advice for decisions
- counselingProfessional guidance for problems
- mentorshipGuidance from experienced person
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
- adviceGuidance on decisions
support · spiritual direction · comfort · prayer · confession · visitation · consolation · encouragement
Animals gathered together
- sheepWoolly farm animal
- lambJuvenile sheep
- crookBent implement or criminal
- tendingCaring for or inclining
guiding · protecting · watchful · herdsman · sheepfold · grazing · lost sheep · Good Shepherd
minister
Religious leader or serve
vicar · rector · chaplain · parson · clergyman · bishop · deacon · elder · ordained · ordination
sermon
Clergy's worship address
- pulpitChurch speaking platform
- homilyReligious discourse on scripture
- scriptureSacred religious writings
gospel · bible · message · exhortation · evangelism · testimony · doctrine · theology · exegesis · proclamation
belief
Trust held as true
- salvationDeliverance from harm
- spiritualityConnection to the sacred
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
worship · prayer · grace · redemption · sanctification · holiness · righteousness · blessing · anointing · calling
flock
Animals gathered together
- parishionersMembers of local congregation
- churchPlace of Christian worship
- assemblyConstructing from components
worshipers · believers · members · fellowship · laity · churchgoers · disciples · adherents · faithful · communicants
guidance
Advice for decisions
- counselingProfessional guidance for problems
- mentorshipGuidance from experienced person
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
advice · support · spiritual direction · comfort · prayer · confession · visitation · consolation · encouragement · discernment
flock
Animals gathered together
tending · guiding · protecting · watchful · herdsman · sheepfold · grazing · lost sheep · Good Shepherd
- church peoplepriest, parson, vicar, curate, rector
- small town rolesmayor, sheriff, priest, coach, principal
- pillars of the communitymayor, doctor, teacher, priest, rabbi
- Black ChurchBaptist church, gospel choir, preacher, deacons, choir
- church leadersrector, vicar, parson, preacher, reverend
- church rolesbishop, deacons, priest, lay readers, altar girl
pastorlayperson
Non-specialist or unordained person
laity · layman · laywoman · congregant · parishioner
pastorwolf in sheep's clothing
Concealed threat appearing innocent
false prophet · deceiver · tempter · cult leader · charlatan
- pastoral landscapeIdyllic rural countryside view
- pastoral lifestyleCountryside-centered way of living
- put out to pastureForce into retirement
- pasture grazingLivestock feeding on meadowland
- putting out to pastureForcing into retirement
- al pastorMarinated pork, vertical rotisserie
pasture, pastoral, pastors, pastorate, pasturage, pastored, pastoring, pastoralist, pastoralism