Thursday, April 05, 2007
From Whence Clergy
- Imitation of the secular structures of the Greek-Roman world not unlike the professional-lay distinctions in the modern world.
- The transference of the Old Testament priesthood model to the leadership of the church
- Popular piety which elevated the Lord’s Supper to a mystery which required priestly administration.
He then goes on the examine this in more detail and briefly how the idea transferrred through the Reformation.
It should be no secret to regular readers that I am gravely concerned about the presence of clergy in the church. I think it makes it easy for people to stop at a certain point in their spiritual development because it is either too easy to let the clergy do it for them, or because it appears that becoming clergy is the next logical step in that development. I also think there is a problem because clergy has no experience or insight to use to guide lay people in deep and transformative spiritual development as laity.
I was discussing this in a small group the other day and a friend, perhaps the ultimate pragmatist, got a little peeved with me as I questioned whether clergy was a good idea. "Who cares?!" he cried, "We're here, we have to make do." Sometimes I think he is really wise in that, and sometimes I don't. And yet, professionalization of faith seems inevitable. Churches that start out without it, seem to end up there anyway. Even if seminaries and ordination are not involved it just seems like someone has to get paid to take care of a bunch of stuff and the same issues arise. What to do?
Well, there are a few things I think are obvious:
The first priority of clergy must be to develop strong lay leadership. From a congregational perspective, lay leadership should be solidly in charge, on all levels, fiscally, organizationally, and spiritually. Lay leadership should not be viewed as "stand-ins" but rather as it. Clergy's role is to train and hold accountable that lay leadership.
Strong lay leadership must hold clergy tightly accountable. It's a two-way street. It is too easy to leave it up to the pros. Lay leadership must work hard, work visibly, and work to keep the clergy focused on its real objectives.
Strong lay leadership must hold out for the best clergy. This means the church needs to be able to rely on its lay leadership until the right clergy person willing to do the job described here comes along. Lay leadership is a calling and committment all its own. Lay leaders must behave and act as such.
Humility must reign supreme. 'Nuff said.
We are where we are, but we need to be there better.
Related Tags: clergy, laity, leadership, church
