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Parson:
From the Latin persona ("person"), used to refer to the parish priest. The title was first used, as a legal term, in eleventh century England, where the parish priest was, effectively, the designated "person"
in local authority. Today, the term is not used as often as it was, except sometimes a term of affection for an older clergyperson, especially of rural background.
Pastor: From the Latin for "shepherd." Another name for a clergy person. The term is used universally for Lutheran clergy, and by many Episcopal and Roman Catholic clergy as well.
Preacher: Preaching is only one function of the ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church and so preacher is not an appropriate or complete synonym for bishop, priest or deacon.
Presbyter: The actual, official name for an Episcopal priest. The word is from the Greek presbyteros ("elder"). The presbyter represents the bishop in a parish or mission, just as in the earliest years of the Church, when older members of a congregation were chosen to represent the bishop.
The qualifications for presbyters are given in 1Timothy 5, but their duties are not listed in Scripture.
Presiding Bishop: The elected head and chief administrator of the Episcopal Church. Until the 1920s, the Presiding Bishop was simply a diocesan bishop elected to preside over General Convention. In more recent history the Presiding Bishop has become the American equivalent of an archbishop, the chief pastor and primate. The proper title of address is "The Most Reverend [full name]."
Priest: This word comes from the Greek presbyter ("elder"). Usually the chief minister in a local congregation. The duty of a priest, according to the prayer book, is to baptize, preach the Word of God, celebrate the Eucharist, and to pronounce Absolution and Blessing in God's name. The term is used in Anglican, Orthodox and Roman Catholic denominations.
Forms of address -- Father, Mother, etc. -- depend upon the priest's preference and local custom. The formal title of address is "The Reverend [full name]."
Priests usually do not retire from their priestly duties, but a priest must
now resign from any position in the Church when he or she reaches age 72.
This retirement age requirement will likely change in the years
ahead.
Primate: From the Latin for "first one," the term for the leading or highest bishop in a particular national church. The primate of the Episcopal Church is called the Presiding Bishop.
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