quote:
Originally posted by Neal Hughes: The vestry and members and the Bishop of Alabama are the "head" of Trinity Parish and all Episcopal churches in the US. The members vote on the rector, he/she swears her/his allegiance to the bishop and signs a contract the vestry draws up in the name of the congregation.
NO Methodist or Episcopal congregation is under the control of anyone save ultimately the bishops, the conference/convention and the congregation. The priests and minister perform sacerdotal, teaching, and pastoral duties, not lead, that is the bishops' job.
If there are problems with the bishops, they have to answer to the Conference/Convention and the national House of Bishops. It is like a constitutional monarchy, not a " pure democracy" or an oligarchy as are found in some Protestant churches.
The Lutherans and Presbyterians have similar setups, the Presbyterians, of course, have presbyters and elders and not bishops as have the others mentioned.
p.s. I miss Father Tim.
Hi all,
Just curious; did anyone else notice that God and Jesus Christ were not mentioned AT ALL in this chain of command? Neal tells us,
"The vestry and members and the Bishop of Alabama are the "head" of Trinity Parish and all Episcopal churches in the US." Silly me. All these years I have always thought it was God's church and that Jesus Christ is "head" of the church. If we take a close look at 1 Corinthians 11:3, Ephesians 1:22, Ephesians 4:15 -- and then even closer at Ephesians 5:23,
". . . As Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body." -- we appear to be at odds with Neal's church, or, at least, Neal's vision of his church.
Neal, you tell us,
"The members vote on the rector, he/she swears her/his allegiance to the bishop and signs a contract the vestry draws up in the name of the congregation." You are advocating swearing allegiance to a man -- not to God; you are advocating signing a contract with an organization -- but, no mention of God. Where does God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Bible -- fit into your religion?
Be careful, my Friend, that you do not get so caught up in the "works of your church" -- that you totally exclude God.
I am reminded of the story of the "economically challenged" -- i.e., poor man, who went into an affluent local church to worship. The people in the congregation were aghast at his ragged clothing. After the service, the minister told him that he is welcomed in their church -- but, next week, please wear more appropriate clothing.
The next week, the poor man came for worship again; still wearing his only clothing -- old, tattered. Once again the minister chastised him,
"Didn't I tell you that you should dress more appropriately to worship here? You should pray about your situation." The poor man told the minister,
"Sir, this week I spent much time in prayer; asking Jesus Christ what I should do -- and how I should dress to worship in your church." "And," asked the minister somewhat impatiently.
Jesus told me,
"I don't know. I have never been invited into that church either." Neal, have you and your church leaders ever thought about inviting God and Jesus Christ into your church?
Just a thought.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill