A professional who assists ordained clergy in conducting worship services; provides spiritual guidance to church members; and plans and arranges educational, social, and recreational programs for congregation. Responsibilities include:

• Assists clergy member in conducting worship, wedding, funeral, and other services and in coordinating activities of lay participants, such as organist, choir, and ushers.
• Visits church members in hospitals and convalescent facilities or at home to offer spiritual guidance and assistance, such as emergency financial aid or referral to community support services.
• Assists clergy member and lay teachers in selecting books and reference materials for religious education classes and in adapting content to meet needs of different age groups.
• May write and deliver sermons.
• May teach history and doctrine of church to church members.
• May assist clergy member in coordinating committees that oversee social and recreational programs.