guide the church

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "guide the church" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to providing direction or leadership to a church or religious organization. Example: "The pastor's role is to guide the church in its mission and outreach efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Borgoglio needed to "guide the church efficiently".

The Guardian

Benedict on Wednesday prayed before the crown, acknowledging his predecessor but also praying that the Virgin could guide the church through its present travails.

The New York Times

As one apostle (there are 12 who guide the church) later put it in a speech recounted by the historian Kathleen Flake, "I am not dishonest and not a liar..

The New York Times - Magazine

For some Vatican watchers, the letter provided signals about how Francis is trying to guide the church through the most turbulent period of his papacy, while dealing with fractures — in the United States and beyond — over the reasons for the clerical abuse scourge.

The Washington Post

As one apostle (there are 12 who guide the church) later put it in a speech recounted by the historian Kathleen Flake, "I am not dishonest and not a liar... [but] we have always been taught that when the brethren were in a tight place that it would not be amiss to lie to help them out".

The New York Times - Magazine

Taking office in December 1990, he was called on to guide the church through the years of Yugoslavia's protracted and violent demise, the sanctions imposed on Serbia as a result, and, finally, the crisis over Kosovo and the Nato bombing campaign of 1999, which was the result of events there.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It focuses upon certain themes, including the Church's asking for guidance from the Holy Spirit during this time of transition; the Church's crying out to God for mercy that we might be found worthy to receive a successor of Peter, who unites the Church in love; and praise for the God, who guides the Church through the twists and turns of history.

Huffington Post

But an opponent of secession, the Rev. Jay Geisler of St. Stephens Church in McKeesport, Pa., pointed out that those tenets are in the Book of Common Prayer, which guides the church.

The New York Times

When the Winter Olympics went to Salt Lake City in 2002, the church's home base, he guided the church outreach campaign.

The New York Times

In 2002, when the Winter Olympics went to Salt Lake City, the church's home base, he guided the church outreach campaign.

The New York Times

As a man of great learning and humility he guided the church through times of challenge and change.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "guide the church", consider the specific context and choose alternatives if you want to emphasize different aspects of leadership, such as pastoral care, administration, or spiritual direction. For example, use "shepherd the flock" to convey care or "govern the church affairs" to stress management.

Common error

Avoid using "guide the church" repetitively without specifying the area of guidance. Instead of saying, "The pastor guides the church," be more specific: "The pastor guides the church in its community outreach efforts" or "The pastor guides the church in financial planning."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "guide the church" functions as a verb phrase where "guide" is the verb indicating direction or leadership, and "church" is the noun, representing the institution or body being guided. The examples from Ludwig AI show this phrase is used to describe the act of leading or directing a religious organization.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "guide the church" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes the act of leading or directing a religious organization. Ludwig AI confirms its suitability for various contexts, although it is most frequently found in news and media. While "guide the church" is appropriate, consider alternatives like "lead the congregation" or "shepherd the flock" to add nuance. Remember to specify the area of guidance to provide clarity and avoid repetition. Its use spans from neutral to formal settings, making it versatile in discussions related to religious leadership.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lead the congregation

Focuses on leading the people within the church, rather than the institution itself.

direct the ecclesiastical body

More formal and emphasizes the governance aspect of guiding a church.

shepherd the flock

Employs a metaphorical term, emphasizing care and protection.

govern the church affairs

Stresses administrative and managerial responsibilities.

oversee the religious community

Highlights the supervisory role in maintaining order and functionality within the church.

steward the church's mission

Focuses on managing and directing the church's goals and purposes.

administer the church policies

Emphasizes the practical application of rules and guidelines.

influence the church direction

Highlights the impact on the trajectory and future decisions of the church.

preside over the parish

Indicates formal authority and leadership in a specific local church.

shape the spiritual path of the church

Emphasizes guiding the church's beliefs and values.

FAQs

How can I use "guide the church" in a sentence?

You can use "guide the church" when referring to the act of providing direction or leadership to a religious organization. For instance: "The new pastor is expected to "guide the church" through a period of change".

What are some alternatives to saying "guide the church"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "lead the congregation", "direct the ecclesiastical body", or "shepherd the flock".

What is the difference between "guide the church" and "lead the church"?

"Guide the church" implies providing direction and advice, while "lead the church" suggests taking a more active and directive role in managing its affairs. Both are appropriate depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "guide the church" in a formal setting?

Yes, "guide the church" is appropriate in formal settings, especially when discussing religious leadership or governance. More formal alternatives like "direct the ecclesiastical body" may also be suitable.