Elevating Lay Leadership
When I was in Saskatchewan recently, I had some insightful conversations about lay leadership in today’s Church. It’s fascinating how the Church passionately aims to empower the laity in congregational roles, yet over the decades, we’ve marginalized these roles through ordered ministries like the Diaconate or lay missionaries. This has resulted in an over-reliance on ordained clergy, who are now stretched beyond capacity and dwindling in numbers.
This seems to aligns with a recent article from Broadview, covering the United Church of Canada's decision to elevate designated lay ministers (DLMs) to the same level as ordained ministers. This move has sparked controversy among clergy, who fear it devalues ordained ministry credentials.
Nearly 80 United Church ministry personnel have formed a protest group, "Concerned Clergy," voicing concerns that the move will "devalue ordained ministers' credentials" by granting DLMs the same authority without equivalent educational requirements.
Rev. Alison Miculan, a group organizer, expressed that the change was implemented "hurriedly and behind closed doors" and called the process a "fait accompli."
General Secretary Rev. Michael Blair counters these claims, asserting that there was extensive consultation within the church, and the move is not a workaround to previous rejections of similar proposals. He emphasizes that "lifting up one group of people does not diminish another. It enriches the whole."
Supporters of the decision, like retired DLM Ann Harbridge, argue that the current system is "unjust" and that DLMs feel undervalued. Harbridge challenges the notion that DLMs are not adequately prepared, asserting that they offer significant ministry contributions.
These discussions happening in the UCC underscore the importance of reimagining leadership within the Church. By empowering laypeople and exploring diverse ministry models, the Church can adapt to contemporary challenges and ensure its continued vitality and relevance. But change can be difficult, often slow, and not without frustrations along the way.
For a deeper understanding of these issue, please read the full Broadview article and explore all of the perspectives shared.