presider

A presider is a person who presides over a meeting, ceremony, or worship service. The role typically involves opening and closing proceedings, guiding the agenda, coordinating speakers or participants, and maintaining order. The term is used across religious, civic, and ceremonial contexts as a neutral designation for the individual responsible for leading the event.

In liturgical settings, the presider is the officiant who leads the service. In Christian worship, the presider is often a priest or pastor who administers sacraments, delivers prayers, and pronounces blessings. In Anglican and Catholic traditions, the presider may be the celebrant of the Eucharist; in some Protestant churches, it may be a senior minister or lay leader. In Jewish practice, the term shaliah tzibbur (prayer leader) describes the individual who leads the congregation’s prayers in the presence of a minyan. In other faiths, the term may be translated differently, but the role remains the same: guiding the worship or ritual.

In secular or organizational settings, the presider is the presiding officer or moderator who manages meetings, enforces rules, calls votes, and announces outcomes. In civil or ceremonial events, the presider may be a judge, official, or designated host who introduces participants, administers formalities, or confers honors.

The word derives from Latin praesidere, “to sit in front,” with presider referring to the person who presides. The term is increasingly used as gender-neutral in many languages, though particular traditions may favor other titles such as chair, moderator, or officiant.