Clergy & Priesthood

Married men may be ordained priests; bishops must be celibate monks

Married men may be ordained priests; bishops must be celibate

Ordained priesthood affirmed; married clergy permitted; women ordained in most branches

Ordained priesthood in apostolic succession; celibacy required in Latin Rite

Ordained male clergy; sacramental priesthood; married deacons permitted

Ordained clergy: deacons, priests, celibate bishops; married lower clergy permitted

Married priests and deacons allowed; bishops celibate; Desert Fathers tradition central

Married men may be priests; bishops celibate; Mount Athos monasticism foundational

Married priests and deacons permitted; celibate bishops; monastic tradition vital

Married priests permitted; bishops celibate; monasticism deeply embedded

Three orders of ministry; women ordained in most provinces

Universal priesthood affirmed; ordained ministers preach and govern

All believers are priests; ordained ministers serve the congregation

Universal priesthood of believers; ordained ministry is functional

Ordained male pastoral office; priesthood of all believers affirmed; no sacerdotal priesthood

Universal priesthood affirmed; ordained elders and deacons ordained

Universal priesthood affirmed; teaching and ruling elders ordained

Women's ordination permitted since 1979; varies on male-only question; contested

Priesthood of all believers; ordained pastors/deacons lead local congregation

All believers are priests; senior pastors are typically male

Ordained ministers; no sacerdotal priesthood; women permitted in some ministry roles

Ordained pastors and elders; priesthood of all believers affirmed

Ordained elders and deacons; women ordained since founding; priesthood of believers

Priesthood of all believers; ordained men and women; no sacerdotal mediation

Ordained pastors and elders lead; women's ordination varies by congregation

Male pastors and elders; no sacerdotal priesthood; priesthood of all believers

Ordained ministers; priesthood of all believers; foot washing among ordained

Priesthood of all believers; ordained roles vary widely by congregation

Ordained ministers lead; all believers empowered by Spirit for witness

Ordained male-only elders and deacons; universal priesthood; no sacerdotal priesthood

Male elders and deacons; no sacerdotal priesthood; priesthood of all believers

Ordained clergy; all believers are priests; no sacerdotal priesthood or mediatorial authority

Ordained male pastor only; priesthood of all believers; functional, not sacramental office

Ordained clergy in Catholic and mainline streams; lay emphasis in independent

No formal clergy/laity distinction in principle; practical ordination exists; women ordained

Full female ordination; episcopal leadership; priesthood of all believers affirmed

Women fully ordained; all believers share in ministry; priesthood of all believers

All believers minister; women in ministry affirmed, varies by region

Male bishops and ministers lead; clergy chosen by lot from congregation

Pastoral leadership affirmed; priesthood of all believers; women increasingly recognized

Priesthood of all believers; pastoral leadership; women fully ordained since 1958

Male preachers lead; elected from colony; bivocational service without salary

Priesthood of all believers; women ordained in most Mennonite bodies

All believers are ministers; women fully ordained since 1888

No formal ordination required; congregational appointment of ministers; male leadership traditional

Elders and deacons lead; no professional clergy; male leaders only

All members are ministers; men lead as elders; women active in ministry

Ordained ministers and elders serve; women's ordination debated

Bishops, presbyters, deacons ordained; women ordained in most provinces.

All believers are priests; no ordained clergy; women do not lead in assembly.

No ordained clergy; all believers are priests; some meetings have pastors

Ordained pastors serve congregations; women's ordination varies locally

Officers are ordained ministers; men and women serve equally

Ordained male clergy; hierarchical structure; no formal priesthood per se

Ordained bishops and pastors with hierarchical authority; male bishops lead; no sacramental priesthood

Ordained ministers serve; women ordained since 1979; priesthood of all

Priesthood of believers; no formal clergy structure; lay-led in most communities

No ordained clergy; baptized male members preach, preside, and serve

Ordained pastors and deacons; priesthood of believers; women's roles vary

No professional clergy; all baptized members are ministers and publishers

Ordained ministers lead; women may minister; senior roles typically male

Ordained ministers lead; women and LGBTQ+ fully included since mid-20th century

All offices open to all, including women; ordination since 1984

Male-only Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthood; women serve in other capacities

Ordained ministry essential; hierarchy of offices: apostle, evangelist, pastor, elder; laity separate

No ordained clergy; lay Readers conduct services from Bible and Science

Ordained priesthood exists; pastors lead worship; correspond to celestial

Trained ministers lead congregations; strict hierarchy; no lay interpretation

Message preachers lead assemblies; no formal ordination; fidelity to Message is credential

Rabbinical and pastoral leadership; messianically-qualified rabbis teach Torah and NT

Ordained male clergy; hierarchical offices; Apostles have unique spiritual authority

Ordained leaders; prophets and prophetesses recognized; white garment symbolism; women in leadership roles

Ordained pastors and bishops; Kimbangu family carries highest authority

Ordained pastors; General Overseer as chief; women permitted in ministry at various levels

Ordained ministers and prophets; healing ministry central; Bishop supreme