The "Stephen Ministry" of Protestant Churches

[Грешник]

I have an odd question for you. In the Protestant church they have created an office for the laity known as the Stephen Ministry (lay deacons) where the laity takes over some of the pastoral care of the peoole of the parish. I think the modern RC church has it as well.

My question is that many of the people that join these ministries are women seeking "a place in the church" They do not see the differance of the duties of men and women in the church and feel that the "more traditional churches are misrepresenting the Scriptures to further their own male-centered goals."

My question is this, how do you explain the fallacy in all of this and the lack of Scriptural basis for a ministry such as this?

[Mor Ephrem]

What part of the pastoral care of the parishioners do these people take care of? Before we say it lacks Scriptural basis, I think we need to know what they do. I'd say as long as they exercise works of charity or something like that, and no one who is not allowed to be ordained is ordained, and they are not seen as a replacement for the ordained clergy, but as people ready to help the ordained in certain aspects of their ministry, what's the problem?

[Maria]

I have an odd question for you. In the Protestant church they have created an office for the laity known as the Stephen Ministry (lay deacons) where the laity takes over some of the pastoral care of the peoole of the parish. I think the modern RC church has it as well.

My question is that many of the people that join these ministries are women seeking "a place in the church" They do not see the differance of the duties of men and women in the church and feel that the "more traditional churches are misrepresenting the Scriptures to further their own male-centered goals."

My question is this, how do you explain the fallacy in all of this and the lack of Scriptural basis for a ministry such as this?

My mom and dad were involved in this ministry in their protestant church. Basically, it was primarily teaching lay people how to pray for others. So if someone lost a dear relative, these lay members would comfort them. They would teach the Bible, visit the prisoners, comfort the dying and the grieving, give food to the hungry, those who have just lost someone, and a woman who has just given birth. They are basically the prayer warriors.

Wouldn't it be good if we could have something like this in the Orthodox Church? We do have sisterhoods. But most Orthodox parishes are not organized to do charitable deeds. I guess we need another St. John of Kronstadt who did a lot of this work.

Love in Christ,
Maria

[George Australia]

My question is this, how do you explain the fallacy in all of this and the lack of Scriptural basis for a ministry such as this?

Dear in Christ,
If women cannot minister to the Church, how do you explain how women Saints can become "Equal-to-the-Apostles"? Also, we should not forget that the Orthodox Church has only recently stopped ordaining Deaconesses (St. Nectarios of Pentapolis was the last to ordain one to my knowledge). Here in Australia, most Catechists are lay women, and lay women visit the Orthodox sick in hospital, offering support and comfort and calling a priest when required. And let's not forget the important roles played by the Presbyteras and Matushkas in the Church. Just because women cannot administer the Mysteries (for which there is no scriptural basis) does not mean they cannot minister to the Church (for which there is a Scriptural basis).
Some examples are:
Mark 1:31, Luke 7:46, Luke 10:39, Luke 24:10, John 20:17, Acts 18:26, Romans 16:3, 1Corinthians 16:19.

[Грешник]

My question, although probably it could have been said better was the exact point of "bringing Communion to the sick" which was what got me wondering in the first place since the Protestant belief in Communion is only as a symbolic remembrance and not as the True Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I do agree with all who have postd that there is a need for a ministry suxh as this in the Church and I think that there are ways in which this can be accomplished. My point as I said was not that women should just sit in the wings and do nothing and that that is what is meant in Scripture I was more referencing the Communion aspect of his ministry and the "ordainment of women" as "lay ministers" etc.

I apologize if my post was blurred but I am also learning and forgot about the aspect of deaconesses when this post was written but I believe a large point of dissonance between the Orthodox and the Protestants in the differences in beliefs that go along with some of these ideas and that these need to be explored as well.

[Etienne]

Forgive me, I am a very tired, if I do not make a clear and crisp point.

Does not every Christian Orthodox have a responsibility to his or her neighbour. Why do some need the 'status', 'specific role' or 'duty' of a particular a ministry? (For example, the good Samaritan had a ministry or rather ministered?).

Among English speaking peoples of a certain age it is often said that one joins or leaves the church when ordained or leaving the Ministry, i.e. anyone not ordained is 'outside' the church?

Orthodox communities have long had sisterhoods or brotherhoods who come together for a common purpose. Individuals historically have expressed their 'love' for their neighbour quietly and without fanfare. Is this not what the Gospel asks of us.

As to male dominated. Many parishes and communities would 'fold' without the faithful women. A lovely story comes to mind of a busy convent due to host a large meeting of bishops. Two Siberian bishops turned up many days early, perhaps a little inconsiderately. The Abbess, aware that hers was a working community and all must redeem the time, put them to work sweeping fallen leaves.

In any community, organisation of church there are always many, many roles and tasks to be undertaken. Why introduce a further layer or functionary? I write thus, not to be contrary but, among other things, as the head of a 'disability' charity. Some there appear to seek office and others will simply put their hand to any task needed, quietly retiring when the matter is dealt with. Shortly I will put aside my current role, but will then become free to take on other things I am not free to tackle now. My point. Titles, status, and the like have their place but much work only needs what you may bring to it..........

[joasia]

If a woman was meant to serve Holy Communion, then the Theotokos would have been the first woman to have the right to do that. As she was the temple of God. She had the Body and Blood of Christ living in her. But, she led us by example.

Christ was the example of priesthood and the Father chose the Word to be a man, His Son.

Why can't people have enough faith in Christ, to stop asking such questions? If protestants follow the Bible, only, then at least accept what is taught in the Bible, only.

Women as priests is outside of the Bible. If protestants only accept the Bible, then why do they argue about these issues which stem from outside the Bible? This is the devil's trap. It only brings turmoil, not peace.