pastor

Everyday

1. (church) A pastor is a Christian minister who leads a church and cares for its people, especially in Protestant churches. tree →
2. (rare) To pastor a church is to be its pastor. tree →

In the lessons

In religious education and everyday life in the USA, Canada and Australia many church leaders are called «Pastor», as in «Pastor John». The word comes from the Latin for «shepherd», because the pastor looks after the people like a shepherd looks after sheep. Phrases: «the church pastor», «Pastor Smith», «youth pastor».

Examples

• The pastor gave a talk about forgiveness. tree →
• Pastor Jones visited Grandma in hospital. tree →
• Our youth pastor runs the Friday club. tree →
• The word «pastor» means shepherd. tree →
• Martin Luther King Jr. was a pastor in Alabama. tree →
• The pastor baptised the new members. tree →
• The pastor said a prayer before the meal. tree →
• The son of the village pastor was tutor at the mansion. tree →

Note

Countable. Capital P as a title: Pastor Ruth. Related: pastoral (caring for people; also about farms and countryside). Similar words: minister, vicar, priest, reverend (different churches use different words).