What others are saying

Congregations can’t rise above their leadership, and faith communities can’t develop large visions without visionary leaders. … In most mainline churches, the top denominational and congregational leadership positions are reserved for clergy, so having top-quality clergy leadership needs to be a high priority. Now that there is a shortage of clergy in many U.S. churches, however, many lower-level positions formerly filled by clergy must now be filled by lay professionals and volunteers. But this may be a needed change. We shouldn’t expect clergy to do all the ministry for us or to provide all the leadership. God calls every Christian to some kind of ministry.
—Barbara Wendland, Connections, June