1999
Robert J. Honeychurch
Seminary-Trained Priests (Canon 7) and Local Priests (Canon 9) Working Side-By-Side in the Episcopal Church
The Episcopal Church has traditionally used two distinct avenues for preparing and utilizing ordained priests. Either one was trained in a seminary setting, and then exercised that priestly ministry in a paid, professional context (generally in a setting where there were sufficient funds to pay the priest); or one was trained in a non-seminary setting, and then exercised that priestly ministry in a non-paid, volunteer context (generally in a setting where there were insufficient funds to pay a “professional priest”). The expectation was that only one of the other would be appropriate in any given setting. Using case studies from six congregations in the Diocese of Idaho, this thesis explores the ramifications of having seminary trained priests and local priests working together in a common setting. Although this was not the original intention of the canons which allowed for differing methods of preparation, churches are exploring new and innovative ways in which to more fully carry out the ministry of the church.