Minister with a number of shepherds (8)
I believe the answer is:
pastoral
'of shepherds' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'minister with a number' is the wordplay.
'minister with' becomes 'pastor' (synonyms. I am not sure about the 'with' bit.).
'number' becomes 'L' (L is an example).
'pastor'+'a'+'l'='PASTORAL'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pastoral that I've seen before include "Bucolic, rural" , "To do with shepherds, or concerned with spiritual guidance" , "Country's" , "Relating to personal care - in the countryside, perhaps" , "Relating to country life or personal care" .)