It's OK for stipendiaries, but we have to work!

Thus said one of the wonderful cohort of NSM/OLM types when the topic of an evening Chapter (gathering of the clergy in an area) meeting was raised with them. They appeared to think that their response was some sort of adequate defence of their (non-stipendiaries, all of them) persistent non-attendance over something like eight years. I think it says that they have made a choice rather than been subjected to a contraint when you look back at the period in question!

Still, taking to heart the fact that the non-stipendiary sorts feel unloved and undervalued, where I am we have decided to offer an evening meeting for them anyway! Mind you, taking a look at the other side of the coin, some of the stipendiary sorts felt that this was yet another evening meeting to add to the many that already cram our diaries.

I would like to make what I consider to be a very valid point in that those who are stipendiary do actually work during the day as well. Not only that but some of us are very much fully engaged during the day and then again during the evening (when I assume those non-stipendiary sorts choose not to do meetings). To assume that one group has to work and then come to meetings is to function under a false pretext in the same wat that some I have engaged with saw themselves as nobly serving the church they loved because they took no money from it whilst the others (stipendiaries) were mercenaries and took the little money the church had to pay for their services.

Let's cut to the chase here people. If you are a priest, then you are a priest - full stop. This should mean that you have a calling upon your life which has been tried, tested and you are a person who is approved. This should also mean that you have an adequate training which has equipped you for the rigours of ministry in intellectual terms as well as mental, psychological (ie. you are somewhat stable) and physical aspects as well (and you have to be careful here that we don't discriminate).

What I need is people who will fulfil the calling before them and come as partners to the task of making disciples and building Church, touching the broken, comforting those who mourn and serving all before us. Those who give their time for free are no more noble or special that those who engage in a stipendiary ministry - they are just another facet of the gem that is Christian Ministry.

So, if you read this and you are self-supporting (like stocking? much prefer non-stipendiary!) or Ordained Local Ministers or whatever titles is used, first and foremost 'Thank You' for being a fellow-worker in the vineyard, together we celebrate the ministry of the laity (who often appear to do even more than the clergy - now that's a recipé for a fight!!) and encourage them to fulfil their (and our) baptismal calling.

Let's stop the 'them and us' and look at how we can just become us - one calling, one Church and meetings that are subscribed to because this is what Church is - a bunch of people who understand and live within their priestly formation to serve the body of Christ.

And if you can't, so be it, but don't you dare tell me it's because you work (unless you're on nights that is, I'm not totally cruel).

Pax

ps. It wasn't that long ago that a group of NSM's I met were applauding the emergence of OLM's because they were at the bottom of the pile and so, by default, raised the NSM status - sad isn't it?

pps. I have recently met some who have a cat's lick and a promise in terms of training and ability who have slid in via odd means who have then, magically, emerged as stipendiaries through means nepharious, foul and otherwise without the wit or calling (it appears) to fulfil the needs of the task before them. Could this be a reason for the dumbing down and weakening of the Church's diminishing ability to teach, train, equip and release? (another invitation for a punch-up here I reckon :) ).

Pax