1. the office or position of a pastor
2. the period of time during which someone serves as a pastor
3. the congregation or parish under a pastor’s care

Examples

• He accepted the pastorate at the downtown church.
• During her pastorate, the congregation grew significantly.
• The pastorate includes three small rural churches.
• His pastorate lasted over twenty years.
• She felt called to the pastorate from a young age.
• The pastorate requires both spiritual and administrative skills.
• The entire pastorate gathered for the annual meeting.