Role of Clergy

[Quintessence]

Not all religions have clergy or priests, but many do.

If your tradition has clergy, what is their role? What can they do? What can't they do?

If your tradition doesn't have clergy, take a look at what some others have written about the roles clergy play. How does your tradition offer those in the absence of clergy figures, if at all?

 

[Quintessence]

This thread was inspired by a recent essay written by one of my favorite Pagan bloggers. I really liked his frank discussion of what he can and can't do for someone as a clergy member:

• If you want an ear to listen to your life's challenges, clergy can help. They are not mental health providers and are no substitute for professional care with ongoing chronic issues.
• Clergy often conduct rituals and rites to facilitate religious experiences. They cannot guarantee such an experience will happen.
• Clergy also teach others how to conduct rituals and rites for themselves. They cannot guarantee such practices will work well for every individual.
• It is common for clergy to serve as intermediaries for the gods. Clergy can introduce you to a god, but they cannot tell you what gods you should worship.
• When it comes to interpreting your religious experiences, clergy can provide some context. They cannot tell you how you should interpret them.
• (the above adapted from - What I Can Do For You as a Priest, and What I Can’t)

The role of clergy in Pagan religions is, on the whole, a bit different than some other religious umbrellas. Those who are called to serve within the Pagan community don't set themselves up as the authority or last word on everything. They're experienced facilitators who assist in others' journeys, but ultimately put the responsibility for that journey on individuals. Because of that, clergy are often seen as unnecessary and each individual is his or her own priest. Still, we like the expertise of others from time to time as they've walked many paths and know the signs and the trails that may be worth meandering down.

 

[Tumah]

We have I guess different types of clergy.
Priests - that is, those of Aaronic patrilineality are tasked with performing certain religious services mostly in the Temple, on behalf of the nation and at times of the individual. What they can't do is determine how those services are performed.
Then there are Levites - those of the Levitic tribe excluding the Aaronic line- who are tasked perform as assistants to the Priests. They can't perform the services that Priests do, but they have their own designated functions in the Temple.
Then we have judges who are technically the closest to true Rabbis we have today. They deal with determining how religious functions and services should be performed, what precisely is prohibited, etc.
Then we have another class of Rabbis who are technically teachers of the entire body of Torah (written and oral).
Of the last two either one might lead a congregation (or even the wider general public). The former out of authority and the latter out of knowledge of authoritative opinions.
Neither of these Rabbis can perform priestly or levitic functions unless they happen to be either priests or levites.
There's also a cantor which is not necessarily a designated position. It's usually someone in the congregation with a nice voice for leading prayer services. Similar to that is the guy who reads the weekly Torah portion, although that requires memorization of the proper cantellation for each word as there are no cantellation marks in a Torah scroll.

 

[pearl]

Priests - that is, those of Aaronic patrilineality are tasked with performing certain religious services mostly in the Temple, on behalf of the nation and at times of the individual. What they can't do is determine how those services are performed.

Not unlike the role of the Catholic priest, performing religious services mostly in the Church, on behalf of the community and the individual, there is an element of the ritual which may not be determined by the priest.

They can't perform the services that Priests do, but they have their own designated functions in the Temple.

As do the lectors.

There's also a cantor which is not necessarily a designated position.

Our cantor is a designated position.

Similar to that is the guy who reads the weekly Torah portion,

There is a rotation of readers who read from Hebrew Scripture, only the priest reads from the Gospel.

 

[arthra]

If your tradition doesn't have clergy, take a look at what some others have written about the roles clergy play. How does your tradition offer those in the absence of clergy figures, if at all?

There are no "clergy" in the Baha'i Faith... No professional trained or maintained clergy. The elected Assemblies of each jurisdiction deal with hosting regular Feasts and Holy Days in our calendar and deal with issues of interest to the community.

There are no altars or liturgies.

Each Baha'i is responsible for their daily prayers or fasts which occur once a year in March.

 

[whirlingmerc]

Not all religions have clergy or priests, but many do.

If your tradition has clergy, what is their role? What can they do? What can't they do?

If your tradition doesn't have clergy, take a look at what some others have written about the roles clergy play. How does your tradition offer those in the absence of clergy figures, if at all?

Protestants believe in 'the priesthood believers' and so... depends on what you mean by priest....
full time clergy perhaps? Some leaders are gifted in shepherding and teaching for the building up of the saints to help the saints minister to others

 

[syo]

If your tradition has clergy, what is their role? What can they do? What can't they do?

in orthodox christianity, priests carry on the work of the apostles. bring to people the message of jesus and connect people with god.