The Role of Clergy (Updated from 4/28/2014)

 

clergy

plural noun

"The religious leaders whose job is to serve the needs of their religion and its members; priests, ministers, rabbis, etc."

-- Cambridge Dictionary

 

What do we define "clergy" to be?  What is the role of the clergy?  Have you ever asked this question as it pertains to the clergy of your own church or religious sect?  Not as easy as it seems.  Historically the roles are much different in some faiths, and, even today, we find rebellious factions looking for a more up-to-date definition or a return to tradition.

What is clergy?  Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines clergy as "people (such as priests) who are the leaders of a religion and who perform religious services."  This is a fairly general definition of the "clergy" as a whole.  Do you agree with it?  Concerning Christianity, for instance, does this meet with the desires of Jesus for his disciples?  I missed the part of his teaching that lays out programs for leadership and a grand plan for the ownership of billions upon billions of dollars worth of cathedrals, gold, art, banks, and a city-state in Italy.  Maybe it's just me.  They should spread the word of their faith; perform the ceremonies required by their faith, and like Jesus Christ stated:

"If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

-- Matthew 19:21

Have you seen the followers of Christ that wander the streets in robes and sandals, spreading the word of God while living off the charity of others?  I see expensive vestments, gold rings, palatial living quarters, and first-class accommodations.  At what point in Christian history did we lose our way, and what excuse did they use for doing it?  Well, let's look at some examples of "clergy."

Oxford Biblical Studies Online addresses Priests and Priesthood in the Hebrew Bible this way:

"Throughout the Hebrew Bible, the term priest (kōhēn) is commonly used to refer to an official who was set apart from the rest of the community in order to carry out certain duties associated with worship and sacrifice. As "ministers of the LORD" (Joel 1:9; 2:17), priests functioned as mediators of God's presence and were responsible for the day-to-day operation of cultic sites, whether the tabernacle, local shrines, or the Temple in Jerusalem."

Hey!  That's pretty simple, huh?  Let's take a peek at Christianity.  Which would you like, the Catholic version, or the Protestant?  Either one will give you the flavor, as they aren't all that different, so let's go with the Protestant first, so we can give the Catholics a break:

Protestant:  Priest, Pastor, Minister Chaplain Preacher, Reverend, Bishop, Apostle, Deacon, and Elder.

Catholic:  Priest, Vicar, Dean, Monsignor, Pastor, Minister, Chaplain, Preacher, Reverend, Deacon, Elder, Bishop, Pope, Primate, Archbishop, and Cardinal.

We actually see the term "Apostle" in the Protestant list.  On the Catholic list, a bishop is considered the successor of the apostles.  The definition of duties is different.  On the Protestant side, an apostle holds to the tradition as one sent out to spread the Word.  A Catholic bishop on the other hand is the overseer of the diocese or district.  These titles are not necessarily in any order and all of them have their own specific responsibilities.  Is this rank structure peculiar to Christianity?  No.  Christianity may have taken it to all new ridiculous levels, but all religions have some hierarchy that God supposedly whispered into one of the faithful's ears as the way to organize religion, fill the coffers, and maintain control of the hearts and minds.  

Was this the intent of Christ on Earth?  Do you really, honestly, believe that?

What of Islam?  An imam is akin to a minister.  The imam guides and teaches about the faith and performs associated rituals.  Anyone can become an imam as it requires no prerequisites!  Okay, this is going to jump up and bite me for the obvious reason that, when you allow insane imams into positions of responsibility where they can trick the faithful into believing bullshit about their own prophet, you risk the destruction of world peace which was not what Muhammad was all about.  Those that read my posts know I stand up for the true, peaceful, Islam; the Islam of the Qur'an, not the Islam of heretical imams who would excuse the killing of innocence for the sake of their misguided interpretation of their own holy scripture.  Yet, their interpretation of what is required to be an imam is just what Christ envisioned.  We are all ministers.  All you have to do is believe. Unfortunately, nowadays, all you have to believe is in something.

So, we have definitions, albeit a modern definition for some, of "clergy."  Other than the roles just described, which is pretty accurate, especially when Pope Francis recognizes the issues.  I'll give you another one.

Pope Francis has shown himself to be a rebel, an instrument for change on several levels.  He wants clergy to remember what was asked of them and to stop driving fancy cars and living expensive lifestyles.  He wants them to return to serving humanity and bringing people to God.  His view on accomplishing this means reevaluating old-school thoughts on gays, abortion, and the outward appearance of the church, to the people.  His ideas on bringing people back into the church have stirred up a firestorm of controversy; truth be told, we were sorely in need of it.  Controversy means people are thinking, and if they're thinking about the church, they're thinking about God.  Basically, he wants the clergy to get out there among the people and do their job.  His own Vatican is fighting him on this.  It is not the status quo.

Okay, let's look at how the Universal Life Church would define a minister:

"The Universal Life Church (ULC) is the only religious and spiritual denomination in the world which opens its doors to all and welcomes all who ask to get ordained. The ULC Monastery grants ordination without regards to an individual's religious and spiritual beliefs." 

The Universal Life Church Monastery makes as its goal the promotion of interaction between various religions and the free exchange of ideas to the end that each faith tradition can benefit humankind.

All of the ideas and concepts expressed are debatable. The sections for individual faith traditions express the most common or popular beliefs of each faith’s practitioners. Anyone who disagrees with a claim set forth in this selection are welcome to take part in discussion on the forums of the Universal Life Church Monastery, where every opinion has a voice. 

Understanding the parallels between various religions might be the only way for one to learn what is unique about any one faith.  The Universal Life Church Monastery makes as its goal the promotion of interaction between various religions and the free exchange of ideas to the end that each faith tradition can benefit humankind.  All of the ideas and concepts expressed are debatable. The sections for individual faith traditions express the most common or popular beliefs of each faith’s practitioners. Anyone who disagrees with a claim set forth in this selection are welcome to take part in discussion on the forums of the Universal Life Church Monastery, where every opinion has a voice.  The Universal Life Church Monastery invites each of its ministers to define religious terms as they see fit."

Now, granted, you purchase your ordination.  For some, this is a joke.  A joke?  Some Catholic priests like to diddle little boys.  A joke?  Everyone holds themselves to a certain standard.  Some ministers of the ULC are much more qualified to minister than those trained in a seminary.  

So what is the role of "clergy" in religion?

Those ministers in my group don't know.  We are, all of us, searching for answers.  We do know that it isn't the misinterpretation of Christ's words organized Christianity says it is.  It isn't to bilk the faithful out of their life savings so clergy can live in luxury while the faithful want.  We are, regardless of religious or spiritual affiliation, pastors.  We are shepherds for our individual faiths and beliefs.  We should hold no higher designation, title, or expectation of respect than that of a guide on a tour bus.  We are here to assist people along their path, getting from point A to point B.  The rest is up to them.  We can't save them, any more than a pope can save them.  They have to save themselves.  This is the true role of the clergy.  

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either view any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

I fervently hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with the United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and, finally, a senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Western Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research.

Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony: tolerantpastor@gmail.com