This glossary explains church-specific words that may appear on this website, especially for readers who are not familiar with the Church of England structures.
A
Archbishop
A senior bishop responsible for a whole region (called a province). The Church of England has two: Canterbury and York.
Archdeacon
A senior priest appointed by the bishop to oversee clergy, buildings, and administration in part of a diocese.
Area Bishop
A bishop responsible for a specific area within a larger diocese, supporting the diocesan bishop.
Area Dean
A priest appointed to coordinate and support the clergy and parishes of a deanery, including chairing the deanery synod with the lay chair.
B
Bishop
A senior ordained person who leads a diocese, overseeing clergy, parishes, governance, and pastoral care.
Bishop’s Staff and Leadership Team
The senior group who assist the bishop: usually area bishops, archdeacons, safeguarding leads, and administrative officers.
C
Canon
A title for clergy (and sometimes laity) appointed to a cathedral or diocese, either with specific duties or as an honorary recognition of service.
Canon Law
The internal legal framework of the Church of England: its rules, policies, and regulations.
Cathedral
The main church of a diocese where the bishop’s official seat (“cathedra”) is located.
Churchwarden
A senior elected volunteer who works with the priest to oversee the parish’s administration, buildings, safeguarding, and governance.
Church of England
The national church in England, divided into dioceses and parishes. Part of the global Anglican Communion.
Clergy
Ordained ministers (deacons, priests, and bishops). They lead services, teach, pastorally support the community, and administer sacraments.
Curate
A newly ordained minister in supervised training, often assisting a vicar.
D
Deanery
A group of parishes within a diocese, overseen by a Rural Dean.
Deacon
An ordained minister who serves the community, assists priests, and helps lead worship. Deacons do not preside at Holy Communion.
Diocese
A geographical area of the Church of England led by a bishop, which contains many parishes.
Diocesan Bishop
The senior bishop with overall responsibility for the diocese.
Diocesan Secretary
The chief administrative officer of a diocese who oversees finance, HR, governance, and operations.
Diocesan Synod
The regional decision-making body for the diocese.
E
Episcopal
Relating to the leadership of bishops, or to the Church’s hierarchical structure.
Eucharist (Holy Communion)
A central Christian service using bread and wine to recall the Last Supper.
G
General Synod
The national governing body of the Church of England. It debates and votes on church law, safeguarding, doctrine, and national policy.
H
House of Bishops / Clergy / Laity
The three parts of the General Synod (and some diocesan bodies). They represent different roles in church leadership and decision-making.
I
Incumbent
The priest legally responsible for a parish; usually a vicar.
L
Laity (Lay People)
Members of the church who are not ordained clergy. They may serve on PCCs and synods or volunteer in church life.
Licensed Lay Minister (Reader)
A lay person specially trained and authorised to preach and assist with ministry.
Liturgy
The structured words and prayers used in worship services.
M
Minister
Anyone who leads worship or pastoral care; it can refer to clergy or lay ministers.
Ministry Team
Clergy and lay leaders who work together to serve a parish or group of parishes.
O
Ordination
The ceremony during which a person becomes a deacon, priest or bishop.
P
Parish
A local church community who are responsible for a specific geographical area.
Parochial Church Council (PCC)
The legally recognised governing committee of a parish.
Pastoral Oversight
Responsibility for caring for, supporting, and guiding individuals or church communities.
Prebendary
An honorary title for someone appointed to a cathedral’s College of Canons in recognition of their service; historically linked to a prebend (a benefice) but now mainly ceremonial.
Presbyter
Another word for a priest, rooted in the early church term for “elder.”
Priest (Vicar / Rector)
An ordained minister responsible for leading a parish, offering worship, and pastoral care.
R
Reader (Licensed Lay Minister)
A lay person trained and licensed to preach and lead services.
Rector
A term for a parish priest. Functionally, the same as a vicar today.
S
Suffragan Bishop
A supporting bishop who assists the diocesan bishop with oversight.
Synod
A council or assembly of elected representatives who meet to make decisions for the church.
T
Theological College
A training institution for people preparing for ordination.
Training Curate
A new minister in the early stages of ordained ministry under supervision.
V
Vicar
A priest responsible for a parish.
Vulnerable Adult
Sometimes used in church contexts to refer to adults who may need additional pastoral support, but it is primarily a safeguarding term (see safeguarding glossary).