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Clergy vs. Laity
By Asiri | September 5, 2008
One of the many things I have had to change over the years has been my notion of the so called clergy and laity.
While serving in the mission field some years ago, I remember hearing the president of our church movement challenge the idea of “full-time paid pastors”. In fact, he further encouraged his own pastoral staff to gain employment in the secular field as he himself went on to suppliment his income by selling his own paintings. Apparently Paul the apostle modeled this lifestyle. Even though I do not believe this is practical or applicable in every situation, I now see the wisdom in this philosophy particularly within the churches of the affluent western world.
Thankfully, on our return from the mission field, even though I was offered a “full-time pastoral role” in a church, through a set of miraculous openings, God made a way for me to be trained in the field I am employed in at present. Did this change of role take away my ministry opportunities? On the contrary. In fact, He has been able to use me more to help His children in ways I could not have, had I been a paid pastoral staff of a church having to maintain and defend the machinery of the establishment.
The problem occurs when the institutionalised pastoral profession somehow seems to lead clergy to become more program managers than mentors, making decisions for people believing themselves to have a superior perspective, rather than linking people close enough to Jesus, that He can live out His will through them.
This situation was brought home to me yet again this afternoon when having lunch with a friend who attends a church which has a fairly extensive full-time paid pastoral staff. He said “I needed to speak with one of the pastors, but they’re always too busy”. If only I had a dollar for each time I heard this…..
In a way, the best thing that could happen to the church institution would be for the clergy to get secular jobs. That way, not only will they be better stewards, but will not feel a need to defend the actions of the institutions just for the sake of a pay packet.
However, I must also make note that this model will not suit missionaries and apostolic ministers working in low socio economic enviroments due to obvious reasons of course. One reason?….. try getting a decent paying job in some of those countries…!!! But that’s another story.
Topics: Church & Missions, Religion |