pastoring
Leading a congregation
Pastoring is the work of serving as a pastor—guiding a congregation, providing spiritual counsel, and tending to members' needs.
The term emphasizes the ongoing, relational aspect of the role rather than formal duties: She's been pastoring that church for fifteen years.
Like shepherding, it suggests care and watchfulness over a flock.
Animals gathered together
- parishionersMembers of local congregation
- congregationAssembled group of worshippers
- assemblyConstructing from components
- believersThose having faith
worshipers · laity · faithful · members · fellowship · body · devotees · adherents
Clergy's worship address
- homilyReligious discourse on scripture
- pulpitChurch speaking platform
- proclamationFormal public announcement
- exhortationUrgent persuasive appeal
exposition · teaching · scripture · gospel · message · illustration · altar call · lectern
Ordained religious officials collectively
- ministryClergy's work or state department
- parishLocal church community
- rectorParish clergy chief
- vicarClergy substitute for bishop
chaplain · bishop · elder · deacon · overseer · shepherd · calling · vocation
Professional guidance for problems
- mentorshipGuidance from experienced person
- discipleshipState of following a teacher
- directionWay something faces
- supportTo uphold or sustain
coaching · wisdom · discernment · nurturing · empowerment · encouragement · accountability · spiritual direction
Trust without proof
- prayerAddress to deity
- worshipReligious reverence and praise
- salvationDeliverance from harm
- holinessSacred spiritual purity
sanctification · redemption · intercession · revival · healing · deliverance · confession · repentance
Formal worship structure
- ordinationClergy appointment ceremony
- sacramentSacred ritual conveying grace
- baptismRitual water purification ceremony
- communionProfound shared closeness
wedding · funeral · blessing · anointing · confirmation · dedication · service · vestments
flock
Animals gathered together
- parishionersMembers of local congregation
- congregationAssembled group of worshippers
- assemblyConstructing from components
believers · worshipers · laity · faithful · members · fellowship · body · devotees · adherents · brotherhood
sermon
Clergy's worship address
- homilyReligious discourse on scripture
- pulpitChurch speaking platform
- proclamationFormal public announcement
exhortation · exposition · teaching · scripture · gospel · message · illustration · altar call · lectern · oratory
clergy
Ordained religious officials collectively
vicar · chaplain · bishop · elder · deacon · overseer · shepherd · calling · vocation · stewardship
counseling
Professional guidance for problems
- mentorshipGuidance from experienced person
- discipleshipState of following a teacher
- directionWay something faces
support · coaching · wisdom · discernment · nurturing · empowerment · encouragement · accountability · spiritual direction · listening
faith
Trust without proof
holiness · sanctification · redemption · intercession · revival · healing · deliverance · confession · repentance · grace
liturgy
Formal worship structure
- ordinationClergy appointment ceremony
- sacramentSacred ritual conveying grace
- baptismRitual water purification ceremony
communion · wedding · funeral · blessing · anointing · confirmation · dedication · service · vestments · altar
- spiritual giftsgift of tongues, gift of healing, speaking in tongues, tongues, glossolalia
- serviceserve, help, aid, assist, cater
pastoringneglecting
Failing to attend to
abandoning · forsaking · ignoring · exploiting · harming
pastoringscattering
Distribution in many directions
dispersing · driving away · dividing · wolfing · preying
pasture, pastor, pastoral, repast, pastors, pastorate, pastored, pastoralist, pastoralism