What is the difference between "clergy" and "officiants"?

Types of Wedding Clergy

• Wedding Judge
  Is a judge with the jurisdiction to preside over a wedding ceremony in a specific geographical area. Although certain judges have the right to preside over a wedding ceremony, few do in California. Judges have an interest in things judicial and political - although having the "right" to preside over a marriage ceremony, they simply do not do so. Wedding judges are those judges who might have presided over wedding ceremonies in the local Southern California area. Wedding judges are associated with a "civil" ceremony content, which is a non religious ceremony wording. As such, a very specialized group of officiators are available through The Clergy Network, skilled in the presentation of "civil" marriage ceremony content. These TCN officiators are particularly helpful to those marrying outside a religious faith or the bride and groom with different religious traditions. A TCN "civil" ceremony officiator is the only viable choice for those wanting a non religious marriage ceremony and wedding vows.
  
  
• Justice of the Peace
  Are appointed through civil authority and are authorized to preside over wedding ceremonies. Justices- of the-Peace are associated with a "civil" ceremony content, which is a non-religious ceremony wording. In Southern California there is not a Justice-of- the-Peace system as in other states within America. As such, a very specialized group of officiators are available through The Clergy Network, skilled in the presentation of "civil" marriage ceremony content. These TCN officiators are particularly helpful to those marrying outside a religious faith or the bride and groom with different religious traditions. A TCN "civil" ceremony officiator is the only viable choice for those wanting a non religious marriage ceremony and wedding vows.
  
  
• Minister
  A person authorized to conduct religious worship; member of the clergy; pastor. As applied to human event related ceremonies, a "minister" is a synonymous term to "clergy". A "minister" can be one who "serves" by the conducting of a ceremony - marriage, funeral, quinceanera, baptism, etc. At TCN our " ministers" are "clergy" and " officiators or officiants or officiates", all at the same time. These terms can all be used interchangeably as they can be synonymous in meaning. A "minister" is a "clergyman or clergy woman" who is an "officiant" or "officiator" or "officiate" of certain human ceremonies, i.e, weddings, funerals, quinceaneras, baptisms, baby naming, wedding vows renewal, etc. In short, any of the aforementioned terms can be defined as - a person who has the authority ( given by a denominational or non-denominational religious body) to preside over weddings, funerals, baptisms, baby naming, quinceaneras, wedding vow renewals and the like.
  
  
• Non-Denominational Clergy
  A person who has the authority (given by a non-denominational religious body), and ideally the training to preside over weddings, funerals, baptisms, baby naming, quinceaneras, wedding vow renewals and the like. A "non-denominational" clergy is typically personally Christian, but with no denominational affiliation. However, more and more "for profit" groups are creating or embracing all religions or making up one, simply to qualify for a non-profit status, and for the express purpose of selling "ordinations" (the term used to mean, "authorized") via the Internet. These "not-for-profit ordination" mills are actually "for-profit", and enjoy the perks associated with being a " religious organization". As such, a person can become a candidate for "ordination" simply by filling out an on-line application. The only requirement for receiving "ordination rights" is the filling out of the application and an "ordination fee". There is no prescribed education, training or academic studies required.... no in-person interviews, psychological intakes, professorial review of student acumen, examinations, graduation requirements,etc..! Just pay and you are "ordained". Until recently a , " non-denominational clergy" would spend years in school developing public presentation and ceremony writing skills, learning about human social events and associated psychology and etiquette, even working as "interns" for a number of years before even conducting a public celebration of marriage, etc. Seminary education leading to advanced degrees, with "internships" and course work lasting as long as five to eight years after receiving a bachelor's degree - this is the only legitimately and traditionally acceptable way to be a "genuine" non-denominational clergy or "officiant" or " officiate" or "officator" or " minister" or "celebrant" ,etc. " Ordination" mills do not produce genuine non-denominational clergy, but fakes possing as the authentic. Although the "ordination" mills non-denominationals claims to be "clergy", this term can only be specifically applied to those who have had a very specific time honoured training, not to those who "bought" the same for a few dollars on the Internet.
  
  
• Rabbi
  A member of the "clergy" within the Jewish faith.
  
  
• Roman Catholic Priest
  A member of the "clergy" within the Roman Catholic church - having a specific function within this Church's hierarchical administration.
  
  
• Interfaith Wedding Clergy
  Is a "clergy" , either legitimately ordained after years of schooling or Internet ordained by application only with no training, who presides over the wedding ceremonies of couples who do not share a common faith. As "clergy" they may or may not be "ordained" by a specific faith or personally hold to a specific faith.
  
  
• Pastor
  A "pastor" is the title given to a person who is called to operate in a specific role/function within the Christian Church. A "pastor" is a "clergy" and a "minister'" - as they serve a specific group of people within the Christian Church. A "pastor" may be a wedding "officiator" or "officiant" or "officiate" - as they can be authorized to conduct wedding ceremonies within the Christian Church. Not all "pastors" are "ordained ministers or clergy". Some "pastors" are authorized (ordained) to preside over wedding ceremonies and can do so outside their Church affiliations, if they so choose or are encouraged so to do. Some "ordained pastors" can not conduct wedding, funerals or other such human events outside their Church affiliations or even their own congregations - either by conscious or by hierarchical Church decree/polity.