Why do you serve (or decline to serve) as a church officer? (churches, prayer)
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For people who serve as church officers, why do you?
Or if you refuse to ever serve as a church officer, why?
Church officer means (to me) a member of the church’s principal committees, called:
The vestry
The session
The diaconate
The parish council
Etc.
I was on the church vestry for six years (two terms of three years each).
I wasn't particularly interested in being on the vestry, but my priest at the time asked me to serve because of certain business knowledge and experience I possessed that he felt would be beneficial.
I chose not to run again a year ago because changes in my life prevented me from giving proper attention to the commitment.
Church officer means (to me) a member of the church’s principal committees, called:
The vestry
The session
The diaconate
The parish council
Is this Catholicism?
Jesus never indicated we're to have to levels or hierarchies within the body of Christ (the church at large). There's God/Jesus, and all the rest of us - on the same level. No one's in between.
Jesus never indicated we're to have to levels or hierarchies within the body of Christ (the church at large). There's God/Jesus, and all the rest of us - on the same level. No one's in between.
No, why would it be Catholic? I responded, and you are not a new poster here so you know I am not Catholic. Most churches have some form of organization for business purposes. It has nothing to do with hierarchies, which would be appropriate if the conversation was about clergy. A person on a vestry is not higher than someone else. It is simply belonging to a committee that deals with the budget, etc., of a church. The Reformed Church, in which I grew up, had a "consistory". Similar purpose.
The question is not whether Jesus said thus or so or whether the business end of a church is biblical or not. The OP is asking about people's experiences in existing entities.
No, why would it be Catholic? I responded, and you are not a new poster here so you know I am not Catholic.
My questions were directed to PuppiesandKittens. They had nothing to do with you.
I don't know what those things are (vestry, session, diaconate, etc.) so I was asking her to clarify. "Parish" sounds strongly Catholic though, so I threw in comments about their hierarchies, that I know exist.
Last edited by Thoreau424; 02-13-2019 at 02:30 PM..
My questions were directed to PuppiesandKittens. They had nothing to do with you.
I don't know what those things are (vestry, session, diaconate, etc.) so I was asking her to clarify. "Parish" sounds strongly Catholic though, so I threw in comments about their hierarchies, that I know exist.
OK, I thought you would have read any responses before responding.
For people who serve as church officers, why do you?
Or if you refuse to ever serve as a church officer, why?
Church officer means (to me) a member of the church’s principal committees, called:
The vestry
The session
The diaconate
The parish council
Etc.
I have served on vestry twice and as clerk of parish once. I have also served on committees, too. When I was offered Junior Warden, which would then become Senior Warden in the following year, I respectfully declined. I own a business and my travel schedule at that time would have precluded my serving effectively.
I had other calling of gifts of the Holy Spirit , so I prayed that I would never be asked to work in the church , and God honored that ... I still work in the Church with Prayer , which is always behind the seen , and God always expects that I go and exercise these gift of His spirit
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