Legal Definitions - laity

Definition: Laity refers to people who are not part of the clergy. It is a collective term used to describe individuals who are not ordained or trained as religious leaders.

Examples:

• Members of a church congregation who attend services but are not ordained ministers or priests are considered part of the laity.
• A layperson may be involved in various church activities, such as volunteering, teaching Sunday school, or serving on committees.

The examples illustrate that the laity are individuals who are not part of the clergy but are still active members of a religious community. They may participate in various religious activities and support the work of the clergy, but they do not have the same level of training or authority as ordained leaders.