Questions for Layman,Laypeople,Laypersons

[ProScribe]

1) What is a layman?


2) What does a layman do?

 

[Sphinx777]

In religious organizations, the laity comprises all persons who are not clergy. A person who is a member of a religious order who is not ordained clergy is considered as a member of the laity, even though they are members of a religious order (for example a nun or lay brother).

In the past in Christian cultures, the term lay priest was sometimes used to refer to a secular priest, a diocesan priest who is not a member of a religious order. Terms such as lay priest, lay clergy and lay nun were once used in Buddhist cultures to indicate ordained persons who continued to live in the wider community instead of retiring to a monastery. In recent centuries, the term is often used more generally, in the context of any specialized profession, to refer to those who are not members of that profession.

The word lay derives from the Anglo-French lai (from Late Latin laicus, from the Greek λαϊκός, laikos, of the people, from λαός, laos, the people at large).

 

[EricTheRed]

Attend Services and Pray?

 

[cassc]

I know I often hear/use phrases like lay reader, or lay leader. Is that what you are thinking of? In that kind of context people usually mean that a person is not clergy and doesn't have formal training but has been granted the blessing and responsibility of certain important functions, reading, parish council, assisting in sacraments perhaps, what they do depends (in my experience) on the size of the parish and the availability of priests, deacons, cantors, etc...

 

[Lukaris]

Romans 12:4-8 explains much.

 

[Josiah14]

2) What does a layman do?

The responsibilities of a layperson are the same responsibilities every Christian has. All these responsibilities can be summed up in the word theosis. We are all given the task of acheiving theosis.

To be clearer, we are all to love one another. This means we cannot be indifferent towards each other, but we must gently and patiently help guide each other to God. In order to do this, we must be in contact with the source of love, who is Love, who is also God. Therefore, prayer is the most important action we perform in our attempts to achieve theosis. Without prayer, we lose contact with God and can do nothing good.

The only difference for the clergy is that they have beein appointed by God as an example to lead the community. Some clergy have also been given the blessing to hear confessions and give spiritual guidence to the faithful.

Forgive me, a sinner,
Josiah

 

[gzt]

I lay. Or maybe I lie. I don't know about the rest of you, though.

 

[rusmeister]

Such a question might be a precursor to the idea of the priesthood of all believers...

 

[gzt]

rus - Oh good grief, you certainly are good at reading stuff like that into any question.

 

[cassc]

Such a question might be a precursor to the idea of the priesthood of all believers...

can you elaborate?

 

[buzuxi02]

the word laity comes from the greek word "laos" and simply mean "people". In christianity usually designated to refer to all the people of God who have not gone through the sacrament of Ordination.

 

[rusmeister]

I think the appropriate thing to do would be to let the OP elaborate.

 

[stone]

In religious organizations, the laity comprises all persons who are not clergy. A person who is a member of a religious order who is not ordained clergy is considered as a member of the laity, even though they are members of a religious order (for example a nun or lay brother).

In the past in Christian cultures, the term lay priest was sometimes used to refer to a secular priest, a diocesan priest who is not a member of a religious order. Terms such as lay priest, lay clergy and lay nun were once used in Buddhist cultures to indicate ordained persons who continued to live in the wider community instead of retiring to a monastery. In recent centuries, the term is often used more generally, in the context of any specialized profession, to refer to those who are not members of that profession.

The word lay derives from the Anglo-French lai (from Late Latin laicus, from the Greek λαϊκός, laikos, of the people, from λαός, laos, the people at large).

Ah- was not aware of this, thanks!

 

[rusmeister]

rus - Oh good grief, you certainly are good at reading stuff like that into any question.

If you've seen this, you might understand my meaning better:
http://christianforums.com/showthread.php?t=7314752