How Do You Address a Letter to a Pastor?
Address a letter to a pastor by including the appropriate honorific, then concluding the address. Specific denominations may have variations in address.
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Determine the denomination of the pastor
In general, most letters to pastors should be addressed to “The Reverend John Smith,” with the name of the specific pastor replacing “John Smith.” A letter to a Roman Catholic priest is simply addressed to “Reverend” with the priest’s name appended.
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Determine whether the pastor has a doctorate
If the pastor you are writing to has a doctorate, address the letter to “The Reverend Doctor John Smith.” No distinction for doctorates is made in addressing a letter to a Roman Catholic priest.
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Use the proper salutation within the letter
Address the pastor within the letter as “Dear Pastor.” Address an Anglican or Episcopal priest as “Dear Father,” and a Roman Catholic priest as “Dear Reverend.”
