A
minister (
councilor) is the head of a
ministry or
department in a
government (e.g.
education,
finance,
health,
state,
war etc...). Ministers are members of the
cabinet, and are usually led by a
prime minister or
president.
The term "minister" comes from a Latin word meaning a "servant" (or first servant). In some countries (such as the US, such a person is instead known as a secretary.
A
minister may also be a person who leads a
Protestant church; such a person may also be called a pastor, preacher, or elder. In many churches, ministers are required to be
seminary[?] trained although some churches allow "laymen" to preach. Compare with
priest.