Second Roanridge Conference on a Self Supporting Ministry
Diocesan Press Service. January 3, 1973 [73001]
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A group of non-stipendiary Episcopal clergy from all parts of the United States assembled here from Nov. 30th through Dec. 2nd for the Second Roanridge Conference on a Self Supporting Ministry. In addition to non-stipendiary clergy themselves, the conference also included other persons concerned or involved with the non-stipendiary movement in other ways.
The main purpose of the conference was to clarify the position of the non-stipendiary priesthood and diaconate in the Episcopal Church at the present time and detailed discussions were held as to the problems and opportunities which such ministers currently face.
The conference was encouraged by Bishop Daniel Corrigan to affirm strongly its commitment that the non-stipendiary movement should be basically missionary in motivation. This is to say that the basic purpose for having such clergy in the Church is to provide the preaching of the Gospel, the administration of the sacraments, and the extension of pastoral care to a greater variety of persons in a greater variety of circumstances and in a wider range of times and places.
The conference also made formal resolutions on a number of subjects. It was resolved that the Clergy Deployment Office be encouraged to extend its system to include categories not presently covered, such as perpetual deacons and trained church workers such as officers of The Church Army.
The conference urged all non-stipendiary clergy to fill out the forms supplied by the Clergy Deployment Office and thus enroll themselves in the operation of this system.
The conference expressed its support of a proposal emanating from a conference sponsored by the National Committee on Indian Work to clarify and simplify the provisions for admission to the perpetual diaconate or for admission to the diaconate prior to ordination to the non-stipendiary priesthood.
The conference heard Bishop William Davidson of Western Kansas, chairman of the Joint Committee on Non-Metropolitan Areas, speak of the plans of this body to develop a wider and more strategic use of non-stipendiary ministers in small towns and rural areas where a fully paid professional ministry is often an impossibility. Support was expressed to the Joint Committee in its efforts.
On the other hand it was pointed out that urban areas, particularly in the inner city, also have a marked need for indigenous clergy who can live and work as part of the community where they minister.
The conference made some preliminary plans for the presentation of information regarding non-stipendiary ministry at the General Convention in Louisville in the fall of 1973.
Attention was given to the importance of lay leadership in the Church and the need for close cooperation between non-stipendiary clergy and volunteer lay workers.
Gratitude was expressed for assistance which the Board for Theological Education extended to the conference.
During the course of this conference the Non-Stipendiary Training and Operating Program (Non-STOP) held its annual meeting. This is an organization for non-stipendiary clergy and for other members of the Church who are interested in supporting and encouraging the non-stipendiary movement.
The newly elected national chairman of Non-STOP is the Rev. Davis L. Fisher of Chicago. Fr. Fisher graduated from the General Theological Seminary in 1967 and received a Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Chicago in 1972. He is currently employed in the First National Bank of Chicago and serves on Sundays in the Church of Our Saviour, Chicago.
The secretary-treasurer is the Rev. Marshal T. Rice of Ridgewood, N. J. Fr. Rice is director of the School of Religion of the Diocese of Newark which has an extensive and well established program for training perpetual deacons and lay readers.