Minister vs. Clergy — What's the Difference?

One who is authorized to perform religious functions in a Christian church, especially a Protestant church.

The body of people ordained or recognized by a religious community as ritual or spiritual leaders. See Usage Note at collective noun.

Roman Catholic Church The superior in certain orders.

Body of persons, such as priests, who are trained and ordained for religious service.

A high officer of state appointed to head an executive or administrative department of government.

The body of men set apart, by due ordination, to the service of God, in the Christian church, in distinction from the laity; in England, usually restricted to the ministers of the Established Church.

An authorized diplomatic representative of a government, usually ranking next below an ambassador.

Learning; also, a learned profession.

A person serving as an agent for another by carrying out specified orders or functions.

The privilege or benefit of clergy.

To attend to the wants and needs of others

Clergymen collectively (as distinguished from the laity)

To perform the functions of a cleric.

To administer or dispense (a sacrament, for example).

A person who is trained to preach, to perform religious ceremonies, and to afford pastoral care at a Protestant church.

A politician who heads a ministry (national or regional government department for public service).

In diplomacy, the rank of diplomat directly below ambassador.

A servant; a subordinate; an officer or assistant of inferior rank; hence, an agent, an instrument.

(transitive) To attend to (the needs of); to tend; to take care (of); to give aid; to give service.

To function as a clergyman or as the officiant in church worship

To afford, to give, to supply.

A servant; a subordinate; an officer or assistant of inferior rank; hence, an agent, an instrument.

An officer of justice.

One to whom the sovereign or executive head of a government intrusts the management of affairs of state, or some department of such affairs.

A representative of a government, sent to the court, or seat of government, of a foreign nation to transact diplomatic business.

One who serves at the altar; one who performs sacerdotal duties; the pastor of a church duly authorized or licensed to preach the gospel and administer the sacraments.

To furnish or apply; to afford; to supply; to administer.

To act as a servant, attendant, or agent; to attend and serve; to perform service in any office, sacred or secular.

To supply or to things needful; esp., to supply consolation or remedies; as, to minister to the sick.

A person authorized to conduct religious worship

A person appointed to a high office in the government;

A diplomat representing one government to another; ranks below ambassador

The job of a head of a government department

Attend to the wants and needs of others;

Work as a minister;