Since the early 1990s, we have been exploring the idea of the home-based church. It is the practice of church without specifically designated religious buildings. It has given us great flexibility and has helped produce a closeness of fellowship — true koinonia. We added to the mix the notion of the centrality of the Eucharist, developing an understanding of sacrament in which the “interpenetration of spirit and matter” has become central to our spirituality. Home Eucharists are a joy to celebrate.
At the came time, we have adopted the centuries-old understanding of the threefold ordained ministry of deacons, priests and bishops. Priests are those specifically authorized through the empowerment of ordination to represent Christ at the Eucharistic table. Those we recognize as priests are no different, no better, no holier than other members of the church — but they are set aside and recognized as those who the church has entrusted with great responsibility. In order for the church to practice priesthood in a meaningful way (in all the traditions), it has meant a process of discernment, study and training and finally ordination. At its heart, it includes:
a) A sense God’s call,
b) The willingness to study and be trained by other senior ministers
c) The church’s blessing through the hands of the bishops.
During our recent vacation, it came to me that for this to be a reality — the joining of the home church and the centrality of the Eucharist — then we will need many more priests than we have at present. It will mean many more “bishop’s schools” for the training of deacons and priests.
It will also mean a re-thinking of what priesthood means.
It will mean the breaking of the link of priesthood with career, with full-time salaries, with a four-year (plus) disruption of everyday life, with a certain high academic ability, and a status in society. The priest will not be one in a thousand or even one in fifty believers, but one in twelve, one in six. It will make the priesthood more accessible to women and men of all ages and academic abilities.
In other words, it is a far-reaching rethinking of church, priesthood and training for ministry. In the Lindisfarne Community, we have begun to explore the changes needed. It will need many such communities, many such training schools, much imagination, and much courage in following the wild goose.
+Ab. Andrew
At the came time, we have adopted the centuries-old understanding of the threefold ordained ministry of deacons, priests and bishops. Priests are those specifically authorized through the empowerment of ordination to represent Christ at the Eucharistic table. Those we recognize as priests are no different, no better, no holier than other members of the church — but they are set aside and recognized as those who the church has entrusted with great responsibility. In order for the church to practice priesthood in a meaningful way (in all the traditions), it has meant a process of discernment, study and training and finally ordination. At its heart, it includes:
a) A sense God’s call,
b) The willingness to study and be trained by other senior ministers
c) The church’s blessing through the hands of the bishops.
During our recent vacation, it came to me that for this to be a reality — the joining of the home church and the centrality of the Eucharist — then we will need many more priests than we have at present. It will mean many more “bishop’s schools” for the training of deacons and priests.
It will also mean a re-thinking of what priesthood means.
It will mean the breaking of the link of priesthood with career, with full-time salaries, with a four-year (plus) disruption of everyday life, with a certain high academic ability, and a status in society. The priest will not be one in a thousand or even one in fifty believers, but one in twelve, one in six. It will make the priesthood more accessible to women and men of all ages and academic abilities.
In other words, it is a far-reaching rethinking of church, priesthood and training for ministry. In the Lindisfarne Community, we have begun to explore the changes needed. It will need many such communities, many such training schools, much imagination, and much courage in following the wild goose.
+Ab. Andrew