Clergy are some of the main and important formal leaders within certain religions. The roles and functions of clergy vary in different religious traditions but these usually involve presiding over specific rituals and teaching their religion 's doctrines and practices. Some of the terms used for individualclergy are clergyman, clergywoman and churchman. Less common terms are churchwoman, clergyperson and cleric.
In Christianity the specific names and roles of clergy vary by denomination and there is a wide range of formal and informal clergypositions, including deacons, elders, priests, bishops, preachers, pastors, ministers and the Pope. In Islam, a religious leader is often known formally or informally as an imam, mufti, mullah or ayatollah. In Jewish tradition, a religious leader is often a rabbi ( teacher ) or hazzan (cantor).
