Laity

It struck me at the oddest of times yesterday morning that the clergy-laity system (with which I quarrel, and which exists in nearly all churches with which I’ve had any connection whatsoever) has at least one redeeming quality. “Laity,” I supposed, may be derived from the Greek latreuo and/or leitourgeia, which are probably related [...]

On bill-paying (follow-up)

Not at all suggesting that all congregational offerings, or all Christians’ contributions, fall into this category, I firmly resist thoughtless, obligatory, perfunctory, blind giving to a plate (or a box).

Church Titles

I heard a pretty good sermon on Wednesday that had to do with differences between churches, structurally speaking. This sermon tied things to scripture but pointed up that scriptural patterns aren’t always clear; thus, the differences that result in human workings-out of things, in various eras.
Despite the feeling of many that Christians need to [...]

And yet another

Because he is a de facto authority, he was the one asked.

Ministry (2)

Concepts of hierarachy and status can lead to direct conflict with ideals of Christian work and service.

Ministry (1)

For many “ministry” leaders, a real status boost occurs when it’s decided–either by someone within (more likely) or without–that they’re going plural.

Roles (3): etymological musing

If paid ministers would see themselves more as servants, perhaps we would have fewer displays of power in churches.

Roles (2): *Christ* receiveth sinful men

The preacher, if there is one, speaks the words that lead to the response. The shepherd is the one who, by definition, cares for the sheep.

Roles–a personal odyssey

I learned early on that the most spiritually significant congregational “office,” if one called it that, was that of elder. And I aspired to be one.

Preacher-centrism

We used to say “preacheritis,” but I don’t think that was quite right, grammatically speaking.
The subject was, and is, *centering on a human.*