pastor

This term carries a strong sense of guardianship and spiritual guidance, drawing from the Latin root for shepherd. It implies a relationship of care and oversight, where the leader is not just an administrator but a spiritual father or mother to the community. While priest is often associated with liturgical rites and sacramental authority in Catholic or Orthodox traditions, pastor is more common in Protestant contexts and emphasizes the act of preaching and the personal relationship between the leader and the flock.