December 10, 2005

A new book on pastoral authority

I wrote last week "A question that I've been pondering: is the distinction made between clergy and laity in the Christian church a caste system?" It is serendipitous that I read this morning in Christian Century (October 18, 2005, p. 25), the following mini-review by Anthony B. Robinson of Who Are You to Say?: Establishing Pastoral Authority in Matters of Faith:

    A UCC pastor, Rosenberger raises the important questions too few are willing to ask: Is there a place for authority in the pastoral role and office? What is the nature of appropriate authority and what are its grounds and sources? Is Christian community really possible absent legitimate authority?

I just put an interlibrary loan request for the book through the campus library. I certainly believe that there is a place for pastoral authority, and there there are solid grounds for such authority in the Bible (and in long Christian tradition). What has bothered are the perks and privileges that often come with being a clergy. The divide between clergy and lay staff in a church can be stark at times. I have to ask myself whether my question is motivated by envy since I'm not part of the clergy. Moreover, as an elder in the PCUSA, I am a lay leader myself and have enjoyed a certain status within the church. I too must wrestle with being leader who professes to have Jesus of Nazareth as my supreme model.

Posted by rdhyee at December 10, 2005 09:24 AM