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[amles80]

Hi, what a good community this seems to be! I’m Swedish, and I have just recently started writing fanfiction (Heroes mostly). I have been on LJ for almost two years now, but I have never really worried much about how I write my journal (probably an ugly mix of American and British English, with strange grammar mistakes here and there), but now that

Comments

[surrealiste]

"Minister" is just fine to use here - it's definitely preferable to the other words you suggested. :)

[amles80]

OK, thank you! I think I must have chosen it in the first place because I've heard it many times, but sometimes I get confused when I know that more than one word exist. ;)

[juniperphoenix]

"Minister" is generally a safe bet for most Protestant denominations. "Priest" is used specifically for Catholics (and possibly Episcopalians, although I'm not sure about that).

[amles80]

Thank you; it's very good to know that!

[darthfox]

"Minister" is fine. You could possibly also use "pastor", but there's really no reason not to use "minister" if you don't want to get into details about which kind of church it is. "Clergyman" is a sort of technical term, and would cover other religions' clergy into the bargain, so it's not what you want. "Priests" are Catholic or Episcopalian (which is, simply speaking, US for Anglican/Church of England); and I don't think even Episcopalians use "vicar", this being a term I've only ever heard in the UK.

Hope that helps!

[amles80]

Yes, it's very helpful, thank you! Things like this are good to know even when I'm not writing about them. :)

[mecurtin]

"Minister" is the least denominational word -- it kind of implies that they're not Catholic, which is likely (though not certain) if they're in Texas and not Hispanic.

[amles80]

OK, I see. Thank you! :)

[ginamariewade]

A lot of Protestant denominations, especially less formal, more evangelical ones, will call the person "Preacher."

In the context you cited, minister is perfect. Pastor and preacher would also be acceptable.