Lay persons who work for the church often do so at great personal sacrifice. Members of diocesan staffs, and lay administrators, secretaries and musicians in parishes have labored diligently and faithfully while receiving salaries and benefits which are less than clergy staff members. Finally, something is being done about that.

After the General Conventions of 1991 and 1994 addressed the issue of parity between clergy and lay employees in matters of insurance and pensions, last month's convention took up the issue of salary. A resolution that there be parity between clerical and lay employees serving in equivalent positions in regards to salary, pension, insurance and other benefits, including medical coverage and professional development, was discussed in both houses of convention. In its final form, substitute legislation was adopted by both the bishops and deputies, but as a recommendation rather than church policy.

While we might wish that the original resolution had been adopted, it is good to see the church is serious about treating its lay employees more favorably. Lay employees often bring extraordinary gifts to the church. They ought to be compensated fairly for their labor.