Reverend / Pastor

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What is the difference between Reverend and Pastor?

Matthew 23:8-10 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

Psalm 111:9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.

The Reverend is an honorific style most often placed before the names of Christian clergy and ministers. There are sometimes differences in the way the style is used in different countries and church traditions.

Wikipedia:

  1. used as a title or form of address to members of the clergy. “the Reverend James Jones”
  2. a member of the clergy.

According to the dictionary, a Pastor is defined as a minister or a priest in charge of a church. He may also be a person giving spiritual care to a group of believers. On the other hand, “reverend” refers to a title or an initial for anyone who is a member of the clergy, worthy of reverence or respect. Reverend (Noun) A title warranting great respect, prefixed to the names of Christian clergy. Reverend (Noun) A person who has earned the designation and is entitled to use it publicly; minister.

A priest is an ordained person in the Catholic, Orthodox, or Anglican churches. … ‘Reverend‘ is a common form of address for ordained people regardless of their position (whether pastors, priests, bishops, etc.). So, for example, The Reverend Smith might be the pastor at your local Presbyterian church.

The Reverend is a courtesy title that describes a person. Sometimes The Reverend is shortened by some to Rev. and used as an honorific like Mr./Mrs./Ms./Dr. before the name. This is not the most formal form, but is the preference in some congregations.

A Pastor is the leader of a Christian congregation who also gives advice and counsel to people from the community or congregation. In Protestantism, pastor may be ordained or not while in the Catholic Church and Orthodox Churches, the Pastor is always an ordained priest.

Wikipedia:

pas·tor

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  1. a minister in charge of a Christian church or congregation.
    Similar names: Priest, minister (of religion), parson, clergyman; cleric, chaplain, padre, father, ecclesiastic, man of God, man of the cloth, churchman, preacher, kirkman, dominie, reverend, Holy Joe, sky pilot, josser
  2. be Pastor of (a church or congregation).
    “he pastored Peninsula Bible Church in Palo Alto”

Jeremiah 2:8 The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, …
Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Jeremiah 10:21 For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.
Jeremiah 12:10 Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, …
Jeremiah 17:16 As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was right before thee.
Jeremiah 22:22 The wind shall eat up all thy pastors, and thy lovers shall go into captivity: …
Jeremiah 23:1-2 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

It would seem that only God is Reverend and men are Pastors.

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