How the Clergy Differ Between Religious Traditions

Clergy, or religious leaders, are important figures in the lives of congregations and other religious groups. They are responsible for preaching, leading worship, interpreting sacred texts, and counseling people in their faith. But there is not just one type of clergyperson. They widely differ by religious tradition. For example, there are Catholic priests, Jewish rabbis, evangelical pastors, and liberal Protestant ministers. In this learning module, you will explore a nationally representative survey of clergy in the United States about how religious leadership differs between the various religious traditions.