Clergy and Laity Together the Bishop of Peterborough Writes

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Clergy and Laity Together the Bishop of Peterborough Writes

The Bishop of Peterborough writes Clergy and laity together One of the keys to the health and responsibilities, but let’s growth of the Church is the not forget that relationship between clergy and laypeople can be laity. In particular I am thinking of saints, and the lay leaders (churchwardens, PCC ordained can be members, etc), and of lay ministers sinners. (Readers, evangelists, pastoral Sadly sometimes clergy ministers, musicians, youth -lay relationships in a parish can be a workers etc). cause for concern. The recent A strength of the Church of England proliferation of lay ministries is wholly is that the laity have a significant welcome as far as I am concerned, voice. They are involved in the but it can raise issues. Clergy even in appointment of the parish priest, and relatively small parishes have to learn of the bishop. They have the right to to be team leaders or conductors bring proposals to synods, and to rather than solo performers. Trained veto changes which bishops or clergy lay ministers may have acquired want to introduce. In the parish the knowledge or skills which the clergy churchwardens share the leadership do not have, or do not have time to with the vicar or rector. Traditionally exercise: this can lead to tensions. the chair of the diocesan finances is a Occasionally, sadly, a parish will lay person, as also the chair of the send someone for diocesan training, church’s national finances. Much of and will make a fuss of them when our worship leading, teaching, they are licensed by the bishop, but evangelism and pastoral care is done then the parish priest will not really by lay people, as is most of our know how to use them – or even just engagement with social issues and not want to use them – in ministry. with civic authorities. Church life and ministry are about A layman recently said to me at being together, working together, diocesan synod (after paying me a serving together. Let’s do all we can compliment): “perhaps you will ordain to welcome more lay people into me now!” That was meant in jest but ministry (both within and beyond the it highlighted a sad truth, that many church). Let’s learn together to work people still see the clergy as as teams. promoted laity, and ordination as a With best wishes step closer to heaven. Not so! We are all on that journey together. We have different callings, roles and Rt Revd Donald Allister Diocese of Peterborough - Magazine Resource - May 2013 Produced by the Diocesan Office, The Palace, Peterborough PE1 1YB Tel: 01733 887000 www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk .

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