pastorincharge

Pastor in charge, often written as pastor-in-charge, is a title used in various Christian denominations to denote a clergy member who has primary spiritual and administrative responsibility for a local church or a charge, which may comprise one or several congregations. The exact role and status of a pastor in charge vary by denomination and local practice, but they are generally considered the principal leader tasked with guiding worship, teaching, and pastoral care.

Typical duties include leading worship and preaching, providing pastoral care to members, overseeing church staff and programs, and supervising financial and property matters. A pastor in charge often works with a church council, management board, or equivalent governance body to set policy, develop a mission plan, and coordinate ministries such as education, outreach, and stewardship. They may represent the church in the wider denomination and in the community, and they frequently coordinate with other clergy serving the same charge if more than one congregation is involved.

Appointment and tenure are usually determined by denominational authorities or a local governing body. A pastor in charge may be appointed for a fixed period, serve as an interim or supply pastor, or hold a longer-term assignment depending on the polity of the church. The term is sometimes used to indicate leadership of a charge without a permanent, installed rector or senior pastor, though practices differ widely between denominations.

In sum, the pastor in charge is a leadership position centered on directing spiritual life and administrative affairs within a church or charge, with responsibilities shaped by the governing structure and local norms of the denomination.