Church Covenant - a comment (CLM 473)

From: Brigid Walsh

Mon, 26 Jan 1998

I haven't found this particularly impressive. There is a commitment asked of members of the congregation to the church and its leadership; of the leadership to the leadership team. I could have quite a bit to say about the words used - particularly that required of members of the congregation. However, the most glaring omission is a commitment on behalf of the leadership to a servant role, the ministry of the towel. While some of the wording in the members commitment is good and practical, it can also be used to reinforce authoritarianism in the official church ministry. While there is a place for authority in the church on sound scriptural grounds, my experience has been that for the most part - there are some laudable exceptions - male ministers (I have little or no experience of females in the official ministry) are not up to the authority they claim for themselves. The thing about the role of servanthood is that,, over time, it brings its own respect and its own authority. Remember our Lord followed this path. Authority was not attributed to him by his claims - although these were demonstrable. In the end, it came to him in a life lived out. Brigid Walsh ____________________________ Clergy/Leaders' Mailing List (Moderated) This mailing list is open to all Christians via Internet e-mail and most fax destinations. Submissions welcome: clergy@pastornet.net.au To subscribe, e-mail to: clergy-request@pastornet.net.au with SUBJECT reading SUBSCRIBE To unsubscribe, e-mail to: clergy-request@pastornet.net.au with SUBJECT reading UNSUBSCRIBE Copyright: Postings may be re-sent ONLY with all copyright notifications intact.

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