ordained ministry
Consecrated religious leadership
Ordained ministry refers to religious service performed by someone who has been formally consecrated through a ceremony of ordination—typically involving prayer, laying on of hands, and public vows.
In Christian traditions, ordained ministers are authorized to perform sacraments, preach, and lead congregations: She felt called to ordained ministry from a young age.
The term distinguishes clergy who have undergone official denominational recognition from lay ministers or volunteers.
- church hierarchyRanked religious leadership structure
- church leadershipReligious institution's governing body
- spiritual authorityLegitimacy in religious matters
- pastorChristian congregation leader
- vocationDedicated career path
calling · priest · presbytery · chaplain · seminary · bishop · diocese · deacon · synod · parish · laying on of hands · cathedral · elder · pastoral care · vicar · preacher · baptism · rector
ordained ministrylaity
Non-ordained church members
congregation · parishioners · congregant · parishioner · church membership
ordained ministrycharismatic leadership
Authority through compelling presence
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