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Quick Links: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Top | Homepage PAGE 2 • Do archdeacons need to be clergy?
[Ruthell Johnson] I read the minutes of the last Diocesan Council meeting with some surprise, for in them is a proposal that archdeacons no longer need to be clergy. The argument being that Canon 15 (dealing with the ministry of archdeacons) does not specifically state that archdeacons need to be ordained persons. If that argument is used then bishops could also be lay persons, for in my quick scan of the Canons, 1-8 (dealing with the election of bishops and the Archbishop of Cape Town) it does not stipulate that bishops need to be ordained either. Indeed the Canons do not state that they need to be homo sapiens. Could we therefore argue that we could make a monkey into a bishop? No! Because we know what a bishop is in the Anglican Church. Knowing what an archdeacon is, is even easier, for the title is clearly descriptive – arch (chief) deacon (an ordained office in the Anglican church). But if we are still not sure then let’s consult those who do know what an archdeacon is. The “Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church” defines an archdeacon as “A Cleric having administrative authority delegated to him by the Bishop.” Or if we feel that source is too ecclesiastical, then let’s refer to the layman’s dictionary - The Longman’s dictionary defines an archdeacon as “A Clergyman having the duty of assisting a Diocesan Bishop” or the Oxford dictionary “A Priest next below a Bishop.” If it is felt that the current archdeacons are so incompetent that they need to be replaced by more businesslike lay persons, then let’s call them Regional Inspectors or some other descriptive name but let’s not confuse everyone by giving meaningless ecclesiastical titles to lay persons. My reading of the minutes also left me sad, for the discussion that is reported in the minutes of Diocesan Council seems to have lost the concept of Biblical Christian ministry. The ministry of the Church is now referred to as “The Operational Component” and the ministry and archdeacon seems to be reduced to “Resource Management.” My experience and joy having been an archdeacon for many years is that the archdeacon’s prime function is as the Canons of the Church defines it – “sharing in the pastoral ministry and missionary leadership of the Bishop.” The function of an archdeacon is not just about books and buildings, it’s about caring for people, especially the clergy in the archdeaconry – it’s about reminding them of scriptural principles – encouraging them in their ministry – hearing their confessions and above all praying for them. Change is needed in the Church and yes, we need to be a whole lot more efficient – but we will have done the Kingdom of God no service if we trample the historic concept of “ministry” in the stampede to become more like a secular corporation. Note – At the time of going to press iindaba has been informed that the new structures will not be called archdeaconries but ministerial areas. We hope to have more details in the next issue.
I was trained at St Paul’s College,
as it was known then, which was
run almost on the lines of a
medieval monastery. Married
students just did not figure in the
planning and I was graciously
allowed to visit my wife and
family once a week! Later, I had
the privilege of an academic year
at St Augustine’s College in
Canterbury, studying with 25
students from 15 different
countries, and finally a term as
EW Benson Visiting Fellow at
Lincoln Theological College. Pic: Tony and Ros Kriel relax in their lounge at home. Worship has changed a great deal. We used to stand with our backs to the congregation, rushing through the SA Prayer Book liturgy in a dull expressionless monotone! Soon, the revolution began, altars were moved forward or portable altars installed, and the celebrant could face the people. In the early 1950s the SA Prayer Book had only recently come into use, but the Alternative Liturgy, followed by Liturgy 75 brought about fundamental changes in worship, and the Anglican Prayer Book, one of the best in the Anglican Communion, has now become the norm. We went from Hymn books to a wide variety of choruses, with overhead projectors now common. Women were firmly excluded from participation in leading worship, except perhaps to read a Lesson at the Carol Service. Three orders of lay ministry - readers, catechists and sub deacons - all solidly male, read lessons, taught the children and assisted at the Eucharist. The term lay minister opened up the field for a wide variety of ministry to be recognized and publicly commissioned, and best of all, women could now take their place in ministry, and enrich worship by their gifts. All this was not without some heated controversy, some clung rigidly to the SA Prayer Book, some even refused to take communion from a woman, while others opposed passing the Peace! Praise God, those objections faded into oblivion. Full Eucharistic vestments gave way to the alb and three part stole, and there has been far greater flexibility in worship, although I must admit I found it unnerving once to see a priest celebrate the Eucharist in slops, skimpy boxer shorts and a rather tatty T-shirt. Sung Matins with full Anglican chants, which was the norm for a Sunday morning, faded away. Sung Evensong hung on a bit longer but that too is now a rarity. Music groups are now common, and many a pipe organ stands quiet for want of a competent organist. Ministry saw similar changes. Women in the ordained ministry were not even discussed at College, and it took a long and difficult road with endless discussions before the ministry was opened to women. One of the highlights of my ministry was to be present and participate in the ordination of the first women priests, and once again, the life of the church has been richly blessed by their ministry, and significantly, men found themselves being liberated in the process! - More next month. Tony is a retired priest and Hon Canon of the Diocese of K & K, and is assisting at St John’s. Jules Carr from just
outside Oxford,
England, is trying to
find out who this
clergyman and his
family are. The badge
on the girls’ hats reads
CDS and she says the
photo was probably
taken sometime
between 1920 and 1940. If anyone can help please e-mail Jules
Pic:
The couple under the
quilt
in the last issue of iindaba
were none other than the
then birthday girl, Sharon,
and her husband Piet Nell. Quick Links: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Top | Homepage |
For
more information about iindaba,
contact the editor at iindaba@anglicandiocesepe.org.za
