Face it, folks: the beard is back in a big way. Along with celebrities, bike messengers, and your local barista, pastors are no exception to the glories of facial hair.

The ministry beard has a long and glorious history among preachers, theologians, and everyday men of the cloth. A skilled observer can identify nuances of theology, polity, and diet from a pastor's beard. Now you can too! A carefully groomed beard can make a powerful spiritual statement, and we're here to interpret for you.

Here's a handy taxonomy to help you identify ministry beards in their natural habitats. (We apologize for the omission of ladies from this list.)

Please copy and share this handy guide with any other beard-spotters who would benefit from it.