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
5 comments:
I'm not ordained, but am a candidate for NSM.
I thought chapter was about fellowship and sharing the burden and all of the necessary of talking or perhaps listening to each other on a shared journey.
I don't think that God makes any distinction between stipendiary or NSM, he calls who he calls.
It seems to me that the privilege of being called, recognized and approved means more than just turning up. It just means that sometimes you are not available 24/7, but you are a Priest 24/7.
I can't be to critical, but something is wrong somewhere.
As for OLM, I was told categorically, that it no longer existed as an option. NSM, being deployable diocese wide or nothing.
I hesitated for half-a-second and than said, OK. If that's what God is calling me to, than I accept it, lets get on with it.
Still waiting, but making progress.
One of the more disorientating things about becoming an ordained stipendiary minister was suddenly being paid a stipend to allow me to do "full-time" many of the things I had previously done "in my spare time" as a Reader, including attending (and leading) meetings after a hard day at the office or at weekends, and taking the odd day off for a training course or conference.
UKV is right that chapter should be about fellowship and sharing. The best ones (including where I am now) are.
UKV - glad to hear progress is being made. Hope the wait isn't too long.
UKV, totally agree and this is the point I am trying to make. either we are priests or we are not, there is no halfway houses in that regard!
In our diocese we have OLMs and they train as they do for a specific task (some would say that OLM is really lay presidency by another route, but if this is so then they should not be presbyteros. For me, the biggest flaw is that someone cannot be presbyteros in their own parish and then revery to laos in the next - to believe this shows a lack of understanding and denies the priestly status (and calling) in those so ordained).
Like Simmy - hope the wait is short and the calling recognised.
Pax
I have to add that our Chapter is a pretty much together and coherent group, it is just the issue of non-stipendiaries that is the issue. Where we do have them they work well but have never managed to integrate themselves with the wider body of ministers (Anglican-wide) and I think both sides regret this.
But there needs to be the opportunity (which there is) and the taking up of that opportunity (which generally there hasn't been) - so we have the ingredients, let's hope this time we cam make it fly!
You highlight one of the difficult bits of team ministry in that those who 'work' and then offer themselves often seem to forget that clergy also work during the day. As an NSM I fell into the trap which meant I regarded myself as someone filling two roles and missed the fact that many stipendary clergy take but one role to fill the same day (and since I perhaps didn't offer the evening when they did) and often fill it more than me.
Not a source of division but a recognition that we need to be united. Thanks for pointing out that a priest is a priest which is an important reality to emphasise.
I will make sure I am present at the next meeting of our chapter (I often use the excuse that i have been at work all day).
Bless you for you candour
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