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Presider/Celebrant/Officiant
Words matter and when words change that can matter, too.
The church has three words to refer to the person leading worship: Presider, Celebrant, and Officiant.
Let’s take the easiest one first: Officiant. For Morning or Evening prayer, or any of the Daily Offices, the person leading the service, whether a lay person or ordained, is known as the Officiant. This is actually true for the service of Matrimony or Burial, when there is no Eucharist, even when a clergy person is required.
For the Eucharist the Book of Common Prayer uses the word Celebrant. Presider is an option, and it is the one I prefer. I think the distinction comes into play when we think about the roles of the priest and congregation in the Eucharistic Prayer.
You may remember before the “new” prayer book, the celebrant stood at the east facing altar in a position that called to mind someone praying on behalf of the people. (This may not be the theology, but it can give that impression.)
The Presider, who faces the people, is not celebrating for the congregation, but rather presiding and praying with the people. Theologically, the Eucharistic Prayer is one we all say, which is why the Great Amen at the end is so important as it signifies a community’s assent to the words of the presider.
I am told that sometime in the future, when the Book of Common Prayer is revised (please God not in my lifetime!) Presider will replace Celebrant. But, if you have noticed now, and you have a question, please ask me.
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