Killing the Minister
One of the reasons that North American Christians have so frequently limited Christian commitment and faith to church gatherings is because of a concept, a concept I will refer to as “the minister.” In many Christian traditions there is in fact an individual who is referred to as “the minister.” This concept is deadly to a lifestyle sense of Christianity. I am not against the concept of ministers or even a concept of ordained ministers who have a special -- but not better -- role in the Body of Christ (i.e. that is a sacramental role).
What I am against is the concept that the essential ministry and mission of the Church is carried out principally, almost entirely, by one man (Though lately, thankfully, in many mainline denominations we could also say by one woman). Of course, we know this doesn’t literally (usually!) mean one man or woman, but that one person does the significant work while others assist. The rise of specialization in our society in the modern era has not helped this perception either. In age of certifications, advance degrees and specialized training courses, people are often led to believe that they can’t even breathe without having the proper credentials, certifying they have been trained by the experts (whose own breathing status is, in many peoples’ opinion, quite questionable).
Every Christian is called to “minister” in the sense of serving others in Christ’s name; in the sense of advancing the Kingdom of God by how they live and how they refuse to live; in the sense of passing on the faith to the next generation (their kids, but others as well); and so on. Yes, some are called to a particular role that supports this general calling of all Christians, that supports the gathered life of the Church, but the gathering ministers (bishops, priests, pastors, church staff, etc.) must always remember they are in the business of equipping and supporting other Christians for discipleship, ministry and mission in their daily lives. No one person or even special group of persons can accomplish the work of the Body of Christ all by themselves; it’s a team effort, through and through.
Growing up I had an interim pastor who was a strong proponent of the ministry of all Christians, especially the laity. Her notice in the bulletin (more typical now) “Ministers: The People of Saint Peters” was not met with universal acclaim. Not only is this shift from a ministerial person to a ministerial congregation often difficult for the laity to make, it is also often very difficult for clergy to make (most of us were trained to be lone rangers, see here for example). Both groups of people (and of course many protest at this division to begin with) have been trained to understand the Church’s life in a particular way, but we must ask, is this the Jesus way?
I am not an advocate for the removal of ordained ministry and my reasons are not entirely self-serving, so much as sacramental and Biblical (the priestly people of God need ministerial priests to remind them of who they are, priests are more symbols than mere functionaries, but I digress…for more of that click here, then click on May 22 "A priestly people").
How can we kill the minister and in the process bring life to a ministerial people of God?
I don't really like what I have just written. There are many holes in it. But, it might just get the conversation going. It just so happens that part of being poor and marginalized is being pissed-off. But, I don't care because Jesus loves me. And, this also comes from my 'local church' situation.I live in a very well-to-do community and it is always 'about-the money' Our priest salary and our church building...well it is well over six-figures and the building is paid for!
ReplyDeleteSo, I suggest.....
Don't pay them. (Shock value to get your attention!)And if we do, pay (which I think we should)a non-professional ( that is according to their need and not their want or what some other 'minister' might be earning)non-competitive wage. If the 'minister' needs to spend time pursuing an additional, second income, then the rest of us will have to pitch-in and take up the slack.
Priest are Servants of Christ and their Flock. How much does a Vicar of Christ cost? I know that his is a horrible thing to suggest, but I am sometimes amazed at what some clergy make. I don't want to be unkind or diminish what the 'minster' does, but the biggest cost to most churches is the 'salary'. I would be a priest at a quarter of the salary that my Priest earns! And, instead of costly seminaries, (a good, effective priest leads with the heart and not the head) begin an apprenticeship program. Experience is the best teacher.
Again,if I have offended any clergy, I am sorry. I know that many clergy do get paid just enough to get by. But, so do the majority of parishoners. Many lay people feel this way. So I said what might not be said, out of fear. Clergy power should be Clergy service. Minister, Priest, Pastor, Deacon...is a calling, not a job.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
ReplyDeleteThere is so much food for thought in the original post and Br. Gordon's follow-up that I best comment on one point at a time while pondering the serious question in my heart.
Never would I want to "kill" the minister. The minister is our shepherd; leading, guiding and correcting the flock.
Still, as much as one may promote equality, there is some degree of elitism in being an ordained minister.Here are a few examples. I used to use a cross in my e-mail signature - until I was told that only clergy are supposed to use a cross in their signature. I said, "Huh? You mean that I am not supposed to sign my name with a cross, the universal sign of Christianity?" Yes, indeed, that is the protocol. Is this petty of me to question this custom? Perhaps, but it obviously was important enough to the clergy to correct my faux pas. Another example is found in retreats and Christian education. It is OK to have laity teach children, but adults must be taught by clergy. I often found myself being minimized during retreats or meetings where clergy were predominant.
Brother Gordan, you need to come to ND! Most clergy here are non-stipendiary. They are essentially volunteers. The ones that are paid are not making much money at all and working their tails off. We live in another world here.
Well, now that I got the little points of irritation off of my chest, I will ponder the serious question proposed by Fr. Keven.
Brother Gordan,
ReplyDeleteSome good thoughts there, many directions that we could go in lieu of your comments. I will be interested to see what others say.
Sister Pam,
I am, of course, not advocating killing any particular person (much less myself), but a certain concept of the ordained office.
I think you are certainly free to use a cross with your name, you just need to know that in Anglican circles, priests will often indicate their blessings or priestly status by placing a + at the end of their name, bishops at the begining.
You have a good point about adult education in many instances. Certainly, in the Anglican Dominicans we recongize the teaching/preaching ministry of both lay and ordained ministers.
LOL, Fr K. I KNOW you meant the killing off of ministers as a metaphor.:) Being Anglican, I hope that we do not ever do away with clergy. The term, clergy, is intentional, as opposed to the term, minister. We are all ministers. While there is nothing new to that concept, culturally and spiritually we need to make a paradigm shift in living that out in our daily lives.
ReplyDeleteHow do we do that? Like any sociological change, it takes time. It requires prayer, education, role modeling, leadership, workshops, ownership of the change, time, marketing, promoting the benefits of change, and lots of cooperation. As Br. Gordon has so often pointed out, attraction rather than promotion.
As Americans, we participate in the idol worship of money and earthly wealth. Yet, we do not often enough call it that. Instead, we have prosperity gospel. So, help us God, we are in big trouble.
I believe in God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. I believe in the power of prayer. I believe in God's will be done. I believe that we need a huge outpouring of prayer asking for the blessings of the Holy Spirit, empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Let's ask one another if we are true believers. If we are, in what do we believe? What has God done for each one of us? Re Br. Gordon comments about clergy being a calling, as Christians, we are All called.
Love, peace and blessings,
Sister + Pam
Now, for the other side of the coin.
ReplyDeleteMy priest (minister) is really quite good at what he does. He is a perfect fit for an upscale, cosmopolitan, mobile congregation. He does do a lot (what others might be doing) in the church. However, when he sees a need and knows someone in the congregation who might 'fit the bill', he is not above asking. He plays the 'clergy card'. I think that is fine. That is his job...To send us out. And if we don't...Maybe a smack on the behind is what we need. Jesus got mad. His Father certainly got mad. I've received correction when I needed it and I am glad (now not then) that it happened.
As Anglicans, we are a Sacramental expression within other traditions of the Church militant which should reflect the Church Triumphant. It stands to reason that the Priest (minister) is more involved (duty wise). Yes, we are the priesthood of all believers, but with certain roles to fulfill. The shepherd is not one among equals. It is not easy being the shepherd.
A lot of responsibility. And sheep need to know that there is a shepherd and that (just like Christ) they do for us what we cannot do for ourselves...beyond our imagination. I pray that my priest knows better than me, is perhaps in a way closer to the ear of God than me. I need to go to someone that is the visible (Vicar)Christ.
Each priest, each church congregation is unique and fulfills its own ministry.
Which leads me to this question that I ask...Why do we always think that we need to change The Church? Do we think that we know better than God how the Church should succeed? Jesus asked... 'follow me'...not 'go out and take charge.'
'Follow' as I see it, means Pray, Love and Do The Best I can. Praise (God above All), Bless
(All others)and Preach (with All my life).
Maybe, just maybe, the Church, the Holy Spirit, Father and Son ARE taking care of the Church and the Church is doing, being as God intends it. I know (most of the time) what I am called to do. Somewhere, I fit into the Church and the Church fits into God's plant. I have to accept that on faith.
Again, if I offend, Mia Culpa. All in Jesus love.
My dear brothers and sisters,
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that this post raises and issue we've been confronting ever since Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the Empire. The problem is that too rarely has the Empire then behaved like the Church. More often, the Church has behaved like the Empire.
As the world has become increasingly specialized, so has our "ministry." But the simple truth is that we all have a vocation, and are all called to be the hands and feet and voice of Christ. Our Ancient Adversary would have us deny this vocation, and there are a thousand ways to convince us that we aren't qualified or ready yet.
I have no interest in pointing out the shortcomings of the clergy. My own are too present for me to focus on anyone else's. I pray that God will give us the strength and courage to live into our vocation with humility and wisdom.
Br. James
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
ReplyDeleteThe Church is eternal and it changed a great deal throughout Biblical history and beyond. Just communicating on a blog results in a change of some sort.
If we do not fully utilize every individual in the Church Body, we are like the person who buried his talents. The official church has for too long depended upon clergy to do the work that is the responsibility of every Christian. We are living in a post-Christian society and it is not satisfactory. We have been given many talents. How will we respond to God at the time of judgement? This is a practical question with concrete answers. Bringing to life the ministerial people of God is the challenge presented to us. How will we explain to God our wealth of resources, human and otherwise, and the minimal results that we have to show for our efforts. I believe that it begins with the power of the Holy Spirit.
If...and I think that it is a BIG 'IF' we are to
ReplyDeletechange the church...take on the responsibility that Sr. Pam states that God has willed for us then I think that it is imperative that we decide firstly and with great caution on what we CAN and what we CANNOT change.
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
Some think that his prayer is attributed to St. Francis {what isn't 0:-)} But it is actually a more modern prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr who spoke to the modern human condition. Part of that that condition is the Idol called 'Change'.
The curse of history is that we always think that we know better than those who came and went before us. They thought this way about themselves and their predecessors.
Well said Br. Gordon.
ReplyDeleteI am new to this blog so I apologize in advance. I've started moving to the position that much of the problem with the church and how Christians see the church is very much along the lines posted initially by Kevin. The people of God mostly rely on the minister/pastor/priest to do the work of the church in the world. This may be due to the fact that being Christ in the world is or can be a very uncomfortable place in the world and our world screams to us that our comfort is paramount.
ReplyDeleteIf the church wants to change (not at all sure that this is true) I think that 1) the church, in particular the Anglican church, should do everything possible to educate and encourage people to discover/discern what God calls them to as a minister of the church and 2) clergy should start moving to bivocational ministry.
With the first, my sense is that the church says this but when it comes down to it, the church really only encourages people to discern a call to Holy Orders. This is a huge mistake.
Turning to the second, bivocational ministers/clergy make the clergy (I really am talking about priests) less dependent on members of the church and getting ahead. In turn, I think it frees them to be a bit more blunt and less insulated from the world. I've been asked what it means when I use the word "bivocational". I just stating that a person my be called to Holy Orders but should not expect payment for that work. This would require turning to other places for paying positions. Seems harsh but I believe it could very well force people from being clergy dependent. Instead, they could feel empowered to claim their own call.
I also believe that monastic orders have much to teach us about what it means, or could mean, to be church in this day and age.
Thanks.
Thanks for your further comments!
ReplyDelete