minister
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minister
A high-ranking member of a government who is responsible for a specific policy area (a ministry).
Der Gesundheitsminister informierte über die neue Impfkampagne.
The health minister provided information about the new vaccination campaign.
minister
A historical term, or one used in some Protestant free churches, for a clergyman or pastor.
In der presbyterianischen Kirche wird der leitende Geistliche oft als Minister bezeichnet.
In the Presbyterian church, the leading clergyman is often referred to as a minister.
In German, 'der Minister' (the minister) almost always refers to a high-ranking member of government. The English meaning 'clergyman' or 'pastor' is very rare and historical in German. Don't mix them up!
Der Außenminister reist morgen nach Brüssel.
The foreign minister is traveling to Brussels tomorrow.
'Minister' is the basis for many other political terms. These include 'das Ministerium' (the ministry; his or her area of work), 'der Ministerpräsident' (head of a state government), or compound words like 'Finanzminister' (finance minister) or 'Umweltministerin' (female environment minister).
Das Bundesministerium für Gesundheit hat seinen Sitz in Berlin.
The Federal Ministry of Health is based in Berlin.
A minister's area of responsibility is often named with the preposition 'für' (for) or as a direct compound. Both forms are common.
Er ist der Minister für Wirtschaft.
He is the minister for economic affairs.
The meaning 'Geistlicher' (clergyman) is very rare. You will encounter it almost only in historical texts or in literature about certain Protestant free churches. In everyday language, the political meaning is always meant.
In diesem alten Roman war der Protagonist ein Minister einer kleinen Landgemeinde.
In this old novel, the protagonist was a minister of a small rural parish.
pastor
Both words can refer to a person who leads a Christian congregation. „Pfarrer“ is the usual term for this church office, while „Minister“ is used for this purpose only historically or in some Protestant free churches. Use „Minister“ only when the tradition of the particular church uses that term.
In dieser protestantischen Freikirche leitet der Minister die Gemeinde.
In this Protestant free church, the minister leads the congregation.
In dieser evangelischen Gemeinde leitet der Pfarrer die Gemeinde.
In this Protestant congregation, the pastor leads the congregation.
