1. the office, position, or tenure of a pastor
2. the period during which a pastor serves a particular church or congregation

Examples

• The church has had three different pastorates in the last decade.
• His pastorate at the downtown church lasted fifteen years.
• The congregation flourished under her pastorate.
• The board discussed the challenges of finding qualified candidates for vacant pastorates.
• During his pastorate, the church membership doubled.
• The seminary prepared students for successful pastorates in rural communities.