Lay Professionals Explore Their Calling
Episcopal News Service. November 12, 1987 [87227]
David E. Sumner
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (DPS. Nov. 12) -- Are laypersons "hired" or "called" to their positions? A parish "calls" a priest, but usually "hires" a secretary or director of Christian education. Traditionally, the distinction didn't seem important. But with the increasing recognition of the ministry of all Christians, there is an emerging theological necessity to recognize the vocational calling of laypersons.
That's one of the issues discussed at two regional gatherings of lay professionals held here and in Seattle this fall. Sixteen lay professionals from the Diocese of Olympia attended the Seattle meeting while 15 lay professionals from four dioceses took part in the Knoxville meeting.
Participants included a conference center director, diocesan treasurer, diocesan administrator, Christian education consultant, musicians, education directors, diocesan editors, and missionary organization administrators. Others were employed by parishes or dioceses in prison, refugee, or hunger ministries.
The Lay Professionals Steering Committee of the national church organized the meetings. The steering committee has developed a model format for these one-day meetings and encourages other dioceses and cities to host similar meetings.
"Our format tells you what to do step-by-step," says Harry Griffith, chairman of the steering committee. Laity who work for parishes and dioceses often do so in isolation from others and without the same opportunity for group support as clergy, Griffith points out. "These meetings allow the lay professionals to share employment concerns, network with others doing similar work, and strengthen their ministry."
Griffith emphasizes that the term "lay professional" shouldn't exclude anyone. "That means parish secretaries, or even sextons, if they see their work as ministry and a calling to serve the church."
What are the problems of lay professionals? At one meeting, a parish Christian education director said she felt a "topping out" problem. After being in her job for seven years, she didn't see anywhere else to go. Unlike priests, it's difficult for lay professionals to aspire to a "bigger parish" or the episcopacy, especially if family commitments require them to stay in the same location.
Others reported salary inequities between themselves and ordained persons. One music director had worked in a parish for a dozen years. He said the parish hired a newly-ordained, recent seminary graduate at a greater salary than he was making. Another veteran diocesan staff member said the diocese hired a recently-ordained priest at "several thousand dollars" more than he was making.
Most of the lay professionals felt a strong sense of ministry about what they were doing, but weren't sure that churches always recognized that ministry. Some said there's a need for a "rite of institution" or a liturgical service to affirm their ministry in a particular job.
The meetings brought a convergence between the theological issues of ministry and the human concerns of salaries, working conditions, and the like. "We're not a union," said one participant. "All of us love the church and our ministry. At the same time, we're humans with human needs. Some laypersons have been exploited by their employers and we need to help each other solve those problems."
One such tool is Callings, a quarterly newsletter, billed as "a national news-link for lay professionals in the Episcopal Church" and edited by Gail Jones. Anyone may obtain a free subscription by writing to the editor at St. John's Episcopal Church, 114 East 20th Ave, Olympia, Wash. 98501.
The Lay Professionals Steering Committee includes Griffith as chairman and Ruth Schmidt of Olympia as executive secretary. Other members are Pam Darling, New York City; Anne Carter Mahaffey, Louisville, Ky.; Betty Roberts, Montgomery, Ala.; David Sumner, Knoxville, Tenn. and the Rev. John Docker, Episcopal Church Center staff representative.
Individuals or dioceses interested in sponsoring a Lay Professionals gathering should contact Schmidt at 2401 Bristol Court SW, Olympia, Wash. 98502.