churchperson

English

Etymology

From church +‎ person.

Noun

churchperson (plural churchpersons or churchpeople)

1. A person involved with the church; a churchgoer or cleric.
   • 1979 April 28, John Graczak, “The Sacred and the Profane”, in Gay Community News, page 16:

     Even though the ordination of Ellen Barrett was allowed to stand because she admitted publically^[sic] only her orientation, and refused to discuss the particulars of her relationships, her presence forces churchpeople to consider on what grounds gay relationships can be sanctioned within the community.

   • 1996, Carter Lindberg, The European Reformations:

     He has been portrayed as both a narrow dogmatist and an ecumenical churchperson; a ruthless inquisitor and a sensitive, caring pastor...

   • 1999, Lewis Turco, The Book of Literary Terms:

     The level of diction of the person in the street is usually different from that of a high churchperson. The latter might speak in an "elevated style"...