Lay Leadership

Over the past several days I have attended many meetings as well as having the joy of visiting with many ministers. Toward the end of the week I felt an old principle of our Presbyterian Church pushing its way into the forefront of my thinking.

No longer able to contain myself I blurted out to a freind while walking to the elevator: "We need more lay people on that group to give it balance." That same evening at the Council Meeting our Vice Moderator made an insightful comment about the need for equity between lay and clergy in all of our decision making groups. She said this with a great deal energy and passion.

This lead me to repeat a statement I have made for many years. "I have never seen our Presbyterian Church  work well except when it has strong lay leadership at every level: Congregation, Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly."

It is also true, in my observation, that our Presbyterian Church works well when we encourage our lay persons to speak up and share their ideas and opinions. If I am not mistaken I think we call this "The Priesthood of All Believers."