- May 5, 2012
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In the past, I have thought of the various words that denominations use for their clergy -- "priest", "minister", "pastor", "preacher" -- as essentially synonymous, differing only in slight theological ways. One term emphasizes the sacramental aspects of worship, while another emphasizes the importance of preaching or of caring for members of the congregation, and so on. Still, I assumed that most denominations viewed their clergy as having approximately the same role as in other denominations.
In a discussion in CF back in December, I realized that I may be incorrect, that different denominations may truly view their priests/pastors/ministers in significantly different ways. So I'd like to open a discussion:
1) If you are a member of the clergy, how do you view your role in your church? What is your ministry as you lead and care for your congregation?
2) If you are a lay person, how do you view the clergy in your church? What role do they play? What is different between the ministry that a clergy person has and the ministry that a lay person has?
Ground rules: Please have respect for other denominations and churches in this discussion. Do not say "Church X does it wrong." Say only, "Church Y does it this way," or "How do you do things in church Z?" We are all brothers and sisters in Christ here, trying to follow God's will as best as we perceive it.
These are the clergy members that I've encountered on CF, and I especially invite them to participate: @Paidiske @bekkilyn @Southernscotty @Shane R . Naturally, I'd also like to hear from other clergy, from a variety of denominations and churches, including the ones I haven't met yet.
In a discussion in CF back in December, I realized that I may be incorrect, that different denominations may truly view their priests/pastors/ministers in significantly different ways. So I'd like to open a discussion:
1) If you are a member of the clergy, how do you view your role in your church? What is your ministry as you lead and care for your congregation?
2) If you are a lay person, how do you view the clergy in your church? What role do they play? What is different between the ministry that a clergy person has and the ministry that a lay person has?
Ground rules: Please have respect for other denominations and churches in this discussion. Do not say "Church X does it wrong." Say only, "Church Y does it this way," or "How do you do things in church Z?" We are all brothers and sisters in Christ here, trying to follow God's will as best as we perceive it.
These are the clergy members that I've encountered on CF, and I especially invite them to participate: @Paidiske @bekkilyn @Southernscotty @Shane R . Naturally, I'd also like to hear from other clergy, from a variety of denominations and churches, including the ones I haven't met yet.