I don't want to beg, but I'm gonna...if you're a Christian and you're reading these words right now, please, please take a moment and read the excerpt below. Don't just dismiss and blow it off because this is one the most significant problems we have within the family of Christ.
Then, after reading it, if you want to explore these ideas further -- and I hope you do -- let me know, and I can suggest some articles, books, or websites to you. Or, just stay connected here and you'll see them published soon.
"God intends church to be a community of believers in which each member contributes their special gift, talent, or ability to the whole, so that, through the active participation and contribution of all, the needs of the community are met. In other words, what we ought to see in our churches is 'the ministry of the people,' not 'the ministry of the professional.' The role of the clergy is essentially the centralization and professionalization of the gifts of the whole body into one person. The problem is that, regardless of what our theologies tell us about the purpose of clergy, the actual effect of the clergy profession is to make the body of Christ lame. This happens not because clergy intend it (they usually intend the opposite) but because the objective nature of the profession inevitably turns the laity into passive receivers."
- Christian Smith in the journal Voices in the Wilderness
Corey - As a pastor and a member of a denomination that prides itself in the "priesthood of all believers" I couldn't agree with this more. Indirectly, I think sometimes, professional ministers hinder people from fully taking part in the life of the church. There needs to be a healthy balance for sure. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeletePass those articles around and lets sharpen some iron.
ReplyDeleteIs this more of a problem of professional clergy or appathetic parishoners? A me-first on both sides? Look at me, I preach the word, you come to me not Him with problems. and then... He's the pastor, let him do it, it's what he gets paid for after all.
Good to see you writing again. Our families should get together sometime. Maybe a late summer BBQ?
Bee seeing you,
Mark