The text below is suggested for use in creating a big book about church leaders. It is taken from our own big book which has been reproduced in a revised edition and is available for loan. Copy it into a Word document and then it can be edited, adapted and printed off in the required font and point size for your use.

Church Leaders

In different churches, church leaders have different names. The leader may be called a priest, vicar, minister or pastor.

In some churches the leader wears special clothes. In other churches the leader wears ordinary clothes.

What does a church leader do?

He or she looks after the people in the church and helps them to learn more about Jesus.

Sunday is an important day for Christians. It is special to them because they believe that Jesus came back to life on a Sunday, the first Easter Day.

In a Sunday church service the leader may be helped by others to read the Bible, lead the prayers, tell the people about God, lead the singing and teach the children. In a small church he may do most of these things himself.

Communion
At this special part of the service, the leader gives everyone a small piece of bread and a sip of wine. This is called Holy Communion and it is a special meal to remember Jesus and the last supper he had with his friends.

Communion may also be called the Mass or the Eucharist. There may be a big cup of wine to share or small glasses, a loaf of bread or wafers.

The leader also takes other special services. A baby has been brought to this vicar for baptism or christening. She is being welcomed into the church family. When they are older, children can make their own promise to follow Jesus at their confirmation.

This Baptist minister welcomes a grown up into the Christian family at an adult baptism.

Weddings often take place in churches on Saturdays. The church leader prays with the bride and groom. They promise to love each other always. A wedding is a very happy celebration.

At a funeral service people say thank you to God for the person who has died. Although they are sad to say goodbye, Christians believe that the person has gone to be with Jesus in heaven.

During the week the church leader visits people who are too ill or too old to come to church. Perhaps they are very sad. The leader talks and prays with them. He may bring them some communion bread and wine to share. They are pleased to have a visit.

The church leader also needs time to read the Bible and to pray so that he can teach other people about God.

This church leader is a bishop. He holds a stick called a crozier, which looks like a shepherd’s crook.

In what ways do you think the leader of a church is like a caring shepherd?