What is the difference between a Pastor,Minister and an Reverend?

Question

Hi, I need to know the difference between a Pastor, Mininster ,Preacher and a Reverend. In most religons. Also what is an Ordained Mininster , Pastor,Preacher or Reverend. Thank You

Answer 1

Nothing except the denominations they work in.

Most churches use them interchangably.

Some churches like the Catholic church require years of intense study and mentoring before priests become ordained.

Some protestant churches pretty much ordain anybody who pronounces "God" as "Gawwahd."

Otherwise the words pastor, minister, preacher, reverend, and Father, all have similar meanings.

Answer 2

An ordained minister has gone through a process of laying on of hands by his/her religious body. They have been recognized as being called by God and that is affirmed by the laying on of hands.

A pastor is from the word pastores referring to a shepherd. Minister comes from the concept of ministering to others. A Reverend is a formal title that spoke of their holiness. Preacher of course refers to a major role of the pastor.

What title is used depends on the minister. For many the title of Reverend has been earned and they want is used. For myself, I don't always feel that "revered", but I do see myself as a shepherd. So I prefer the title of Pastor.

In response to the part about most religions, I am speaking of the Christian faith only.

Pastor John

Addendum: Reading Jon M's remarks I must add that they are not true of Protestants. Most Protestant denominations require a M. Div or equivalent degree before they will ordain a minister. That requires a college degree and then up to four years of study in a seminary.

There are some non-denominational churches (not sure of Baptists) who ordain out of the congregation. They may not require an intensive education, but they have to demonstrate more than the ability to say "Gawd". :)

Answer 3

Licensed Minister Vs Ordained Minister

Answer 4

Most of it is a matter of denominational preference for titles.. some times there is a hierarchy but I believe usually priest, pastor, and reverend are not used for different ranks in a hierarchy but used interchangeably. My Church is broken down bottom to top from Brothers/Sisters, Deacons/Deaconesses, Pastors, General Pastor Denominations some times may not have a large hierarchy because they may be decentralized therefore might just have Deacons and Pastors/Reverends/Priests etc.

Answer 5

Different titles for the same thing. "Pastor" comes from the Bible word for a "Shephard". It is used to refer to those who lead a church.

A Minister is a person who acts on others behalf as their representative. In the Bible a person who leads on God's behalf is also referred to as a "Minister". It is usually used as a description of what they do more than a formal title.

"Preacher" comes from what the people do - they preach. It is more of a slang term then a formal title. "Reverend" is a term of respect for a person. It is often applied to the leaders of church because they are to be respected.

Different people prefer to be called by different titles. Mine prefers "Pastor". The one before that prefered "Reverend".

There is not difference in their office or authority. Just different people and different chruch prefer different titles.

Answer 6

These are just different ways of saying the same thing. Different denominations and churches prefer different terms.

I grew up in a Baptist church and we usually had "pastors" or "ministers." These terms were preferred because they focus on the act of caring for "the flock" or ministering to their needs. The same person might be called a "preacher," which focuses on the fact that he preaches to the congregation. "Reverend" focuses on giving the person respect as a spiritual leader.

Some churches have a "preaching pastor" and other pastors who have different duties.

Answer 7

Pastor gives the Sunday morning sermon.
Minister gives advice and ministers to his congregation.
The Bible says to call no man Reverend as only one is
Reverend and that is Jesus.
Ordained means to give authority to a certain person to
do certain things (like officials of the church give someone
authority to go to foreign countries as missionary; or they
might give a person authority to become a youth minister
of their church; and they would pray and lay hands on this
person as leaders of the church send that person off on
a certain mission).

Answer 8

Greed. The more greed, the higher sounding the title.

Matthew 23:1-13 Jesus talks to the Jewish religious leaders who defiled their worship. Notice the similarities with clergy today. Especially verses 9-11 in giving themselves titles of prominence. The KJV uses the title "reverend" in the scripture. The clergy doesn't like this scripture.

Answer 9

Minister - all Chrisitans are called to be ministers, and preachers of the word.

Pastor - is one who is called to a local congregation depending upon the denomination, how they are picked or accepted. This is generally and sometimes referred to as a shepherd. He guides, directs the flock where God wants them to be, He preachers the word, edifies and disciplines when necessary. Depending again upon the denomination as to abilities and jobs.

Reverend - in most churches is a title given to clergy, who are recognized, or are ordained ministers of a denomination, who have passed certain requirements such as calling, credentials, having taken a number of courses through an accepted course of study by that denomination. Again it depends upon the denomination as to requirement for ordination.

Ordained minister - is one who has been found to have quallified for ordination by a body of individuals of a group or body of individuals; generally such bodies are formed by a denomination that is legislated to authorize such procedures. Generally and ordained minister is one who has taken classes, followed a required schedule of courses designed for such ordination, having passed and gone before the board that recognizes and authorizes; that this individual having been tested and having found to be qualified has passed the required steps to become ordained in that denomnation. The process then is completed when that body ordains them by issuing them the power and authority vesed in such ordination; to carry out and perform the ministry that he was ordained for.

There is differences of opinions on such ordination of ministers and preachers. Having been going through the process myself and seeing the reasons why we need to do such and such, to show that we truly are called, and have the necessary skills to produce what we are called of to do, in the ordination process is something to not be taken lightly or in ridicule, or seeing as just merely going through a series of hoops and exercises. Ordination should be seen as the highest expectation, and requirements should not be so high as unattainable nor set so low as making cheap the office. It is an honorable holy and meaningful process. To show that we are truly prepared to do what God has called us to do.

Answer 10

Not much. A reverend is one who is ordained and can perform wedding ceremonies, etc.