unordained

Unordained refers to a person who has not received ordination, the formal process by which a religious tradition confers certain responsibilities, authority, or roles within a community. The term is formed from the prefix un- plus ordained and is most often used in Christian contexts, though similar concepts exist in other faiths.

In many Christian denominations, ordination is a distinct rite that authorizes individuals to perform specific functions, such as preaching, administering sacraments, or governing a congregation. In the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions, ordination is generally regarded as a sacramental act that creates or confers a unique priestly status on bishops, priests, and deacons. Unordained laypeople participate in worship and ministry through roles that do not require ordination, such as lay readers, catechists, or volunteers, but they are not authorized to perform sacraments or ordained offices.

Protestant and Anglican churches display greater variation. Some denominations require ordination for pastoral leadership, while others employ licensed lay ministers, elders, or other forms of authorized service who may lead worship, preach, or perform certain duties without full ordination. The distinction between ordained and unordained can also reflect differences in authority, accountability, and theological understanding of ministry.

Outside Christianity, the term is less common, as other faiths have different systems for religious leadership that may or may not involve ordination. In scholarly usage, unordained is often contrasted with ordained to describe status within a religious community or its leadership hierarchy.