Definition

Noun: A person who is officially authorized to lead religious worship and perform other spiritual duties within a religious community. This term is often used specifically for clergy in Protestant Christian churches.

Usage

The term "minister of religion" refers to an ordained leader in a faith community. It is a formal title. - A minister of religion conducts services such as weddings, funerals, and weekly worship. - The role of a minister of religion often includes providing pastoral care, spiritual guidance, and religious education to congregation members.

Examples

• The minister of religion delivered a powerful sermon on Sunday morning.
• They asked the local minister of religion to officiate their marriage ceremony.
• After years of study, she was ordained as a minister of religion.

Advanced Usage

• "To minister to someone": This is the related verb form. It means to attend to the needs of someone, especially to provide help, care, or spiritual comfort.
  • The chaplain sought to minister to the families of the victims.

Variants and Related Words

• Minister (n): A common short form for "minister of religion."
  • We spoke with the minister after the service.
• Clergy (n): The collective body of people ordained for religious duties.
• Pastor (n): A minister in charge of a Christian church or congregation.
• Clergyman/Clergywoman (n): Formal terms for a male or female member of the clergy.

Synonyms

• Cleric
• Pastor
• Preacher
• Reverend

Related Phrases

• Ordained minister: A minister who has been officially recognized and authorized by a religious body through a ceremony (ordination).
  • Only an ordained minister can perform the sacraments in that denomination.

Noun

1. a person authorized to conduct religious worship
   • clergymen are usually called ministers in Protestant churches