Difference Between Reverend and Minister

Key Difference – Reverend vs Minister
 

In Christianity, there are many different terms that are used for clergy or the religious men performing various roles and responsibilities inside the church. He or she may be a priest, a pastor, a preacher, a minister, or reverend. Many people remain confused between the minister and reverend as to whether they should address the holy person inside the church as this or that. There are similarities between a minister and reverend though there are also differences that will be highlighted in this article.

Who is a Reverend?

Reverend is a way of addressing the clergy in Christian Churches. It is also used as a title to show respect to holy men inside a church. It is thus generic in nature and can be used as a prefix before the name of different clergymen whether they are ministers or pastors. It is thus an adjective to be used before the first name of the clergyman as in Rev. Smith or Reverend Father Smith. Reverend is a general title of respect that can be used for any ordained individual in respect of his special calling. Technically, it is wrong to call someone as reverend, and it should be used only while talking about someone who is ordained.

Reverend N. H. Grimmett of the Maryborough Wesleyan Church

Who is a Minister?

Minister is a term that is generic in nature and is applied to the clergy who lead congregations in a protestant Church. He is a religious man who is asked by the church authorities to lead and assist in certain functions such as teaching beliefs, performing baptisms, solemnizing weddings, and so on. Thus, a minister is the clergyman who is ordained and also qualified to conduct marriages, funeral, and wake ceremonies.

What is the Difference Between Reverend and Minister?

Definitions of Reverend and Minister:

Reverend: Reverend is a way of addressing the clergy in Christian Churches.

Minister: Minister is applied to the clergy who lead congregations in a protestant Church.

Characteristics of Reverend and Minister:

Term:

Reverend: Reverend is a style of addressing clergymen, and it can be used for a minister, a pastor, or a bishop.

Minister: Minister is not a style of address but a specific role.

Prefix:

Reverend: Reverend can be used as a prefix for a minister, a pastor, or a bishop.

Minister: Minister is not a prefix.

Image Courtesy:

1. StateLibQld 2 181211 Reverend N. H. Grimmett of the Maryborough Wesleyan Church, 1940-1944 [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

2.”Choirhabit” by No machine-readable author provided. Garzo assumed (based on copyright claims) [CC BY 2.5] via Commons

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