Quaker Christians
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Quakers Clergy
Quakers do not believe a clergy is necessary to communicate with God.
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The Argument
Quakers believe all human beings can have a direct experience of God - they don't need priests to help them.[1] Therefore, they don't believe in a clergy and feel that all believers can minister to one another. They believe that priests and rituals are an unnecessary obstruction between the believer and God.[1] These groups tend to refer to their congregations as meetings.[2]
Though some branches of Quakers do have pastors. These branches tend to have more structure in worship and are more biblically focused. These groups are more likely to refer to their congregations as a church.[2]
There is one office in the Quaker religion, which is a clerk. This position is a volunteer position. They are responsible for holding monthly meetings, and communicating to the group as a whole. When their term expires a new clerk is appointed to the position.[2]
Counter arguments
Most protestant sects have some form of leadership in their churches. The Quakers however believe that collective unity rather than the leadership of one person. In order to make decisions in a congregation, they have monthly meetings in which ever member has a voice in the decisions that are being made. However, the decisions are made without voting and the clerk senses the unity in the room.[2]