Well, this is my last post in this series on “Reforming North American Christianity.” This series has prompted some interested conversations, both on the blog, and off the blog. The sociological landscape of North America has shifted, and I believe this requires we make some adjustments to our Christian way of life. I’ve talked about the need for more quiet, more silence, a greater comfort level with being different, and most recently, to thinking of ourselves as missionaries in a post-Christian society.
In particular, I believe a renewed emphasis on lay spirituality will be required if any sort of reformation is to take place. No doubt ordained members of the Body of Christ have been used by God in important ways over the centuries, but at the heart of the Christian faith is the ordinary man or woman of God. Across Christian denominations there are different perspectives on the roles of clergy and laity (and whether in fact there should be such distinctions at all), but surprisingly, in the last sixty years there has been a remarkable agreement by most of the major Christian traditions that the laity are the primary ministers of the Church.
I love the priesthood and being a priest, so I am not calling for an abolishment of the clergy or seeking to invite clergy bashing here. Yet, if reformation is to happen, we must return the focus of the Christian faith from the majesty of the sanctuary to the lowliness of the sidewalk – to the addresses of our daily lives. This means we must not view worship as an isolated event from the rest of our week, but instead, view worship as a launching pad for our week and for our lives. In some liturgical churches the final hymn of the service is called a processional (yes, just like the first hymn, no typo here), meaning that as the worship “service” ends, the real work of serving God begins as we process out into our everyday lives with their challenges, joys, chaotic interludes, and predictable routines.
Besides all this, a reformation of the laity will require:
1. An acknowledgment that every Christian is called to be a theologian, meaning that every Christian is called to understand their faith and do some serious thinking about it.
2. A stronger equipping role by local congregations, helping lay people think through, often at sophisticated levels, what it means to be a Christian in the world. What is particularly needed here is helping Christians sort out what it specifically means to be Christian in a particular vocation or season of life.
3. Regular dialogue between those serving within the gathered church and the vast majority of Christians (the scattered church) living for Christ out in the world (at home, school, work, in the midst of family life, friendships, etc.).
What am I missing here?
From whence comes this notion on which there is apparently so much agreement that the primary ministers of the church are the laymen? Certainly not from Sacred Scripture or Tradition. It was "Thou are Peter and upon this rock will I build my Church," not "You are the laity, etc." Thomas Aquinas gives an excellent and lengthy treastise on the various states in life and their roles in Summa Theologica. The principal minister in a faith community is the bishop as shepherd of the flock, assisted by his priests and deacons. Then then the religious and those in minor orders have specific roles to fulfill. And then the laity, as part of the priesthood of all believers, have their own role to play. All the roles are important.
ReplyDeleteWe walk a dangerous road when we start blurring the lines between the laity, religious, and clergy. There is a definite hierarchy that goes back to the very beginning. It is not "rule by committee," and every individual doesn't get to interpret the Bible and have their interpretation be equally valid to every other interpretation (see the Petrine epistles).
That having been said, it is entirely true that the laity can and should study as much about their faith as possible. This is part of their vocation. Every member of the faithful has a vocation. This involves their regular duties in their parish as well as living out their faith in every aspect of their secular lives.
Dearest Archbishop Rutherford,
ReplyDeleteWith no disrespect for you or your office as Shepherd, I disagree that the "principal minister in a faith community is the Bishop...."
The Catechism of the Book of Common Prayer states, "The ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons." Since becoming a member of The Episcopal Church I have been instructed the term, lay persons, was intentionally placed first because they are first among ministers. The laity is positioned where the rubber meets the road, where people encounter God. I mean simply present another point of view.
We could easily get off track on this discussion. Instead, let's search for common ground. Are we in agreement that laity are essential to the vibrant life of the church, rather than a footnote? The Shepherd guards, guides and unites the flock.
Sometimes I hear, "Aren't you doing the priest's work?" No, I am not. I, along with other committed laity, "represent Christ and his Church," bear witness, do Christ's work in "life, worship, and governance of the Church" (BCP).
Dear Shepherd, lead a feisty flock, one that kicks up its heels in love and joy of the Lord. Lead a flock that is drunk with the Holy Spirit. We are one Body, one flock with Jesus as our loving Shepherd.
Forgive me again for being forward (LOL, I can't help it, I'm American). The hierarchy of the church has done its share in misinterpreting scripture and damaging The Body. We are all ministers. Let's work together to be ministers, to be servants of the Lord, Jesus. I love Jesus and want nothing more than to be his minister.
You might be interested in Communion and Liberation (CL), which is a Catholic lay movement. From their website: "Communion and Liberation is an ecclesial movement whose purpose is the education to Christian maturity of its adherents and collaboration in the mission of the Church in all the spheres of contemporary life." I spent some time with a CL member on a recent trip to Cambridge (UK). They have a interesting weekly catechesis, called “School of Community.” They might provide some direction for your own thoughts. You can find them online at: http://www.clonline.org/FirstPage.htm
ReplyDeleteLyndon
Common Ground Lk 14:9-11
ReplyDeleteMk 9:33
ReplyDeleteListen to yourselves talk!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, could you please identify yourself, and perhaps also spell out your point related to your Biblical quotations. I agree that as Christians we should seek to be servants and allow Christ to be first in all things and not worry about our place in the pecking order. However, having said that, I'm not exactly sure how they (your quotations) relate specifically to our conversation about Reforming the Church. Perhaps you could help me make the exact connection, as I could interpret your comments in a variety of ways, as far as their application to the original post. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIn some ways, the modern institution of Christianity has failed to instill within its members the potential for living in authentic relationship with God as our lifelong journey. Jesus instructed, traveled about, took his disciples to the mountain top and the valley of death, turned their world upside down, showed them miracles, sent them out into the world and had them wait for the Holy Spirit together in prayer. Jesus transformed lives and people are waiting to be transformed, to know that they belong to a loving God and are part of a loving Body. Each one of us is able to make that known. We live in a culture that doesn't talk about religion or spirituality unless it can be used for political advantage. If we have Good News, let's all share it with others.
ReplyDeleteA point of clarification. English is an inexact language. The term, primary, used in the original post can be synonymous with, principal, first among firsts. The Bishop is principal as the Shepherd on earth.
ReplyDeleteThe word, primary, can also be used synonymously with basic or essential. The laity, as ministers, are basic or essential to a vital Body of Christ.
There was no intent to usurp the Office of Bishop. A strong shepherd is principal and essential to a strong flock.
There is nothing wrong with the statement that the ministers are the laity, deacons, priests, and bishops. This follows from the priesthood of all believers and the vocation that we each have. Deacons are special servants of the Church. Priests shepherd their parichial flock if their are parish priests, but in any case they lead the flock in loco Christi by saying mass and performing other special duties reserved to priests. The Bishop leads the priests and shepherds the entire flock in his care.
ReplyDeleteThe laity are hardly a footnote. If they are the sheep to be led by the bishop and priests, then the Bible certainly agrees that the laity are highly important. To this is added the important roles each layman plays in the Church. Chief among these is participation at the mass by joining their prayers to the prayers of the priest. St. Pius X advocated the laity actually sitting in the pews saying the same words the priest was saying along with the priest. This is something I advocate as well, either directly or by spirit of intent.
The authority to minister comes from Christ. It was first given to the Apostles. The authority flowed from them to others. Similarly, it flows from their successors, the bishops, to all other ministers in the church, which includes the laity. This is by the bishop is the principal (or chief) minister of the church. This in no way diminishes the role of the laity or anyone else in the clergy. It is much like the Captain of a ship is the principal person on that ship, but each person has an important role to play in making the ship run.
As for mistakes made, yes, mistakes have been made. Things work themselves out in time, though. And that would be God's time, not ours.
Sister Pam,
ReplyDeleteIndeed. Christ is the head of the corporate body of the faithful, of which we are all part. And, Christ is the Eternal King and Chief Priest. It is He who is ultimately doing all that the priest is doing in the liturgy.
Lyndon, Thank you for the link to Communion and Liberation. I breezed through a bit of the website and this is very much in line with our discussion. It is worth further exploration.
ReplyDeleteDear Archbishop, Thank you for your words which are very helpful. The battle for the Kingdom of God is already won; yet, each of us still needs to live our role in it. Such is the way of God's time.
ReplyDeleteI watched a show called "What would you do?", where various social situations are presented (racism, bigotry, etc) and hidden cameras film how the general public reacts.
ReplyDeleteOne episode stands out most. A group of actors was pretending to beat up a minority (another actor). Complete with fake blood, well choreographed. This was on a busy sidewalk. People passed, ignored, some made comments of disgust but kept walking.
ONE woman stepped in, stood between the attackers and the victim, game them a proper tongue lashing, then kneeled next to the "bleeding" victim, gently held his head in her hands, and PRAYED.
We are all sent out into the world to do God's work. A good priest/pastor/minister/ will not do all of the fishing for us, but give us rods and teach us all how to use them.
With respect, Archbishop, I am a bit uncomfortable with the bold lines in which you define your hierarchy. That said, I realize you are not alone in your opinion and I respect it completely.
I do not feel that my priest and I are the same. But when it comes to doing God's work in the world, we are equal. When it comes to celebrating the Eucharist, liturgy, etc within the walls of the church building, he has definite authority.
My Mom's baptist pastor sends his congregation out with a challenge during the Christmas season. He asks them all to response to "Merry Christmas" by saying "Merry Christmas to you, too, and may you encounter Christ this season". Fr. Kevin, I agree with your post and I think that we should always be sent out with a challenge to use what we've learned during the service out in the world to serve others, in some specific way. Regardless of the season. Some people need a very specific request, to give them direction.
Again, extremely interesting comments from all. It is also sadly a column which will be the last with the current part 7. I would encourage Fr Kevin to dig deeper and pursue the topic along some of the answers given by the participants. If I may, I truly believe the problematic conjoncture now facing most Western Churches (and especially in our case, the Churches related to Anglicanism) proceeds from more than 200 years of modern theology which started by the early XIX century German theologians. Thus the proposition "1. An acknowledgment that every Christian is called to be a theologian, meaning that every Christian is called to understand their faith and do some serious thinking about it. " is valuable as long as it is clear what theological consistency is whished and articulated by "the priesthood of the believers". Like I pointed out before, we live in times were relativistic "truths" are proclaimed but where few acknowledge an eternal Scriptural Truth. May I used the very unpopular word HERESIES proliferating even more as a truly scary possibility if,under such unorthodox possible scenario, everyone if free to add to the present theological morass? It is possibly playing right in the ennemy's plan which, since the early Enlightment (coincidence his own name means "lightbearer...) activited a strategy of destruction (not physically but in terms of respect, value, and meaning) of the Holy Scriptures.
ReplyDeleteBro Denis OPA
Sadie,
ReplyDeleteI do not define the hierarchy. That was done for me a long time ago. I merely maintain what is my obligation to maintain.
Also, I did not say anything about equality. It is merely a question of different states in life and the roles each state in life has to play. If they weren't important, God wouldn't have created them.
Anything can be taken to an extreme. Some are defiantly opposed to their priest's authority, while some priests insist on nitpicking every detail about parish life to the point that it crosses over into bad leadership style. Neither is good.
What also gets ridiculous is when someone is opposed to a point of doctrine under the guise of "I can think however I want, and that is just as valid as any other point of view." Then the priest says "No, that flies in the face of 2000 years of Sacred Tradition and interpretation of the Scripture." Then the person thinks the priest is too rigid, gets mad, and leaves, perpetuating the heresy. Disagreement is not in itself heresy. Questioning is not in itself heresy. It is when one stubbornly holds on to a contrary point of view simply for the purpose of being individual and/or leads others in that point of view that it becomes heresy. Interpretation does change as our understand grows. It is a SLOW process, though, and not one that happens automatically because someone has questions about a point of doctrine. This is where the authority of the hierarchy is especially important.
I have been reading and thinking about what has been said.
ReplyDeleteWe Christians are a peculiar and winsome people. Led and fed by Christ alone if we choose to be while being chosen. That is all we can be. That is all we need be...even and especially when no one else is looking. The Church is God's people. We are his. He is not ours. The church IS God's. It is God's for Hid purpose and reforming if He chooses, not ours. God calls us to be Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Religious, Laity ALL in Love. Much beyond our callings are uncertain. What is certain, what we know for true (Veritas) is that God calls us to Christlikeness. This is the sunrise, the alarm to which we must rise each day and the sunset, the lullaby to which we fall asleep. The dream to which we can rest. In between, during the daytime we are to walk having faith, hope and love. We are not called to do the next 'right' thing we don't always know what that is. And if we do, how well will we do it considering our nature. We are called to do the next 'Christlike(ness)' thing. We do that and God does the rest.
Br. Gordon James......that was beautiful! It's very true and written so eloquently, all I can do is admire and agree.
ReplyDeleteArchbishop, we clearly have different ideas about a few things, both of which can be argued were laid down by God. Some scripture seems to be clear concise and inarguable, yet others can sometimes be interpreted different ways. This in and of itself has resulted in different denominations sprouting up, all claiming theirs is the proper way, the right interpretation.
I am not certain of anything regarding how God wanted the church built and governed. Due to that uncertainty, I don't claim a position either way, and am uncomfortable with the "bold lines" I described earlier. That's all it is, a mild discomfort. No biggey. I have quite a few mild discomforts lol. But a hierarchy does indeed infer inequality. The Pope is a great example.
In closing, I have to echo what someone said earlier in these discussions, that Fr. Kevin sure does know how to get a good discussion going!
God bless you folks.
S
We like to think of equality, but the world is full of hierarchies, even in nature. Not too things on this planet are exactly the same. Now, we might be equal before God, but then we are supposed to be equal under the law in America. Are we always equal under the law? And, even given that we are equal before God and assuming that we are equal under the law, there are absolutely hierarchies in American society. There is a governmental hierarchy, people in general at least used to respect the elected leadership, and there are numerous social hierarchies. Even within parishes one finds a hierarchy that naturally develops among the laity. Abolish one hierarchy and another will take its place. Right or wrong, that's the way of life.
ReplyDeleteThe Archbishop has an interesting point concerning hierarchies. It made me think if what the Archbishop said is true 'Abolish one hierarchy and another will take its place. Right or wrong, that's the way of life.' I have been a member of A.A. for many, many years and I have never noticed a hierarchy. Is this an exception to the rule? I wonder. Can anyone think of another
ReplyDeleteThere may be a hierarchy in AA visible to those on the outside. Then again, it may indeed not have one. There are always exceptions to general statements. Even the communists had hierarchies, and they were supposedly about abolishing inequality and oppressive privilege.
ReplyDeleteEquality is not saying people are exactly the same. And noting the existing hierarchies in nature, government, etc does not justify creating new ones, unnecessary ones, or upholding those that should not be in place. Now I am not saying this is my opinion, that your hierarchy should not be in place. I have stated rather clearly that I don't know how I feel about it, outside of a mild discomfort.
ReplyDeleteBut stating that something has always been is not in and of itself a good argument that it should remain. That's all I'm saying here.