ClergyReligious beliefs—such as Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, or Moslem—are significant influences in the lives of millions of Americans, and prompt many to participate in organizations that reinforce their faith. Even within a religion many denominations may exist, with each group having unique traditions and responsibilities assigned to its clergy. For example, Christianity has more than 70 denominations, while Judaism has 4 major branches, as well as groups within each branch, with diverse customs. Clergy are religious and spiritual leaders, and teachers and interpreters of their traditions and faith. Most members of the clergy serve in a pulpit. They organize and lead regular religious services and officiate at special ceremonies, including confirmations, weddings, and funerals. They may lead worshipers in prayer, administer the sacraments, deliver sermons, and read from sacred texts such as the Bible, Torah, or Koran. When not conducting worship services, clergy organize, supervise, and lead religious education programs for their congregations. Clergy visit the sick or bereaved to provide comfort and counsel persons who are seeking religious or moral guidance or who are troubled by family or personal problems. They also may work to expand the membership of their congregations and solicit donations to support their activities and facilities. Clergy who serve large congregations often share their duties with associates or more junior clergy. Senior clergy may spend considerable time on administrative duties. They oversee the management of buildings, order supplies, contract for services and repairs, and supervise the work of staff and volunteers. Associate or assistant members of the clergy sometimes specialize in an area of religious service, such as music, education, or youth counseling. Clergy also work with committees and officials, elected by the congregation, who guide the management of the congregation�s finances and real estate. Other members of the clergy serve their religious communities in ways that do not call for them to hold positions in congregations. Some serve as chaplains in the U.S. Armed Forces and in hospitals, while others help to carry out the missions of religious community and social services agencies. A few members of the clergy serve in administrative or teaching posts in schools at all grade levels, including seminaries. Related news articles War of words – Maker of film on clergy abuse, cardinal's - 16 Oct 2006 Catholic Online,Berg also trotted out her suspicion – since discredited – that clergy members are present "and possibly involved" in the film rating process. ... CLERGY TO FACE NZ COURT - 16 Oct 2006 Special Broadcasting Service,Two Catholic clergymen will face child sex charges in New Zealand after they were refused leave to appeal against their extradition order to the Australian ... Bishop wants Foley to name priest he claimed molested him - 16 Oct 2006 Boca Raton News,...“Until such time as you identify the alleged perpetrator, all clergy that served in Palm Beach County have been needlessly placed under suspicion,�? the ... Pope proclaims 4 new saints, including nun who worked in American ... - 16 Oct 2006 Guelph Mercury (subscription),...the honour on a 19th-century nun who struggled on the American frontier, a bishop who tended to the wounded during the Mexican Revolution and two Italian clergy ... Fund aids Catholic clergy who have been forced from ministry - Oct 14, 2006 Lexington Herald Leader,AP. MANCHESTER, NH - A group of Roman Catholic priests in the Diocese of Manchester have formed an aid fund for local clergy who were forced from ministry over ... Clergy wary of IRS' new monitoring - Oct 14, 2006 Contra Costa Times,...too vague. Clergy who took part in the telephone seminar have expressed ambivalent feelings about the guidelines, Gaddy said. "I ... Irish clergy hopeful for future - Oct 13, 2006 The Republican,By PETER GOONAN. CHICOPEE - The two Irish clergymen came from sharply different backgrounds, but shared a common goal - the desire ... Bahrain king reassures Shia clergy over polls - Oct 10, 2006 Khaleej Times,...“The clergy asked the king during Sunday’s meeting for practical assurances concerning the ... “The clergy are looking for practical, concrete measures. ... Iglesia clergy voice alarm over killing - Oct 9, 2006 Sun.Star,By Lizanilla J. Amarga. CAGAYAN DE ORO -- After the recent political killing of Iglesia Filipina Independente (IFI) Bishop Alberto ... Iglesia clergy march streets, denounce bishop's killing - Oct 12, 2006 Sun.Star,By Stephen Capillas. SCORES of Church leaders and followers from various Iglesia Filipiniana Independiente (IFI) churches in Northern ... Bahrain's Shiite clergy urges people to vote in next month's ... - Oct 9, 2006 International Herald Tribune,AP. CAIRO, Egypt Bahrain's Shiite Muslim clerics have given their blessing to next month's parliamentary elections, urging citizens ... Clergy assembly elections in Iran attract 495 candidates - Oct 11, 2006 Khaleej Times,TEHERAN - Some 495 candidates have signed on for election to Iran’s Experts Assembly, the country’s Interior Minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi told reporters ... THE THREAT OFclergy burnout - Oct 13, 2006 Kansas.com,The Rev. Gene Williams, the organization's co-founder, said many clergy endure frustrations with their work in the same way other employees do. ... Women Clergy Mark Milestones - Oct 12, 2006 Beliefnet.com,...say the "jury is still out" on substantive changes in religious leadership, and worry about statistics that show the percentage of women clergy has actually ... Firebrand backer for married Catholic clergy finds cool reception ... - Oct 12, 2006 San Diego Union Tribune,It's another example of how head-on defiance of the Vatican – whether the issue is openly gay clergy or ordinations of women – can attract widespread ... Congregations Express Appreciation for Clergy - Oct 10, 2006 CitizenLink,October is Clergy Appreciation Month and congregations are looking for unique ways to honor their pastoral staff. Doug Dry, a pastor ... More information on Clergy from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook Overview of Clergy occupation Number of Clergy in the U.S. Salary and earnings for Clergy Working conditions for Clergy Significant points for Clergy Training requirements for Clergy Labor Information Home | Occupational data by city | Search Rainforests | Madagascar | What's new |