What is the status of lay persons at SCF and in the ECC?
We avoid the term “lay person.” That term perpetuates a view of the church as divided between clerics, who have all the power, and laypersons, who are simply to be docile sheep. The New Testament view of the church was much more integrated. Everyone is baptized; that is the major sacramental identity we have; that gives all of us a unity. Some of us are ordained for special roles; but those persons are not “separated out.” “Lay persons,” that is non-ordained persons, in our church are involved in the work of the church and share in the decision-making of the church at every level. Bishops are elected by the people as in the ancient Church. Pastors are chosen by their congregations.
