Have you heard recently about how “the church” is failing in its mission? How about those priests and pastors? Seems there’s a lot of discussion on how they should do their jobs . . . it doesn’t matter which denomination or “church” you belong to. If you are slowly walking to your car after services and aren’t overhearing criticism of what “they” should be doing and how “they” have failed . . . get your hearing checked. More is often said in lunchrooms, bars, and so forth. I’ve heard plenty said by folks who don’t go to church at all. Seems the comments against the work of the church (and I question their source of information) are many from folks who may not know what a pew looks like. I’m not judging, just repeating what I keep directly hearing. There’s always some newspaper article, television news report, etc., and it’s rarely a shout of “hallelujah.”
So, in thinking about this and in thinking about my role, about the load carried by those in ordained leadership roles within “the church” and the like, I did some reading. I had a preformed answer but was seeking “higher authority” for facts. Well, folks, we may not be living into the vocation, but as baptized and/or baptized and confirmed Christians (depending on your own denominational doctrine) we are all ministers. Those sacraments and the promises made by and for us gave us that role. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost enables us and we have much to do. Not some vague “they” at all.
Seems to me that when those who are not part of a church body offer “reasons” related to all the “church” is doing wrong, their words sound a bit like “the dog ate my homework.” I can’t know what’s in another’s heart, but my ears sometimes hear it that way. It also seems that if we spent just a small percentage of the time we devote to lamenting “what’s wrong with the church today” we might come to realize we yes WE are the church and WE have a vocation and commitment made with the Lord to be His ministers.
My church has hundreds of members yet 2 fulltime priests and 1 part time priest. How then can the ordained clergy fulfill their own roles AND the roles we ourselves have formally and sacramentally committed our lives to? It is time to do our part. What’s wrong with the church these days? It might just be that the answer is OUR idleness in not meeting our commitment. It is time to prayerfully step up and live as Christ has called us to.
Acts 6:2 ” “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God”
Posted by Martha L Shaw 
Martha L Shaw - Poet, Writer, Author, Artist 