{"id":10388,"date":"2013-04-03T08:00:45","date_gmt":"2013-04-03T12:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mintools.com\/blog\/?p=10388"},"modified":"2025-10-08T10:03:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T14:03:13","slug":"lay-person","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mintools.com\/blog\/lay-person.htm","title":{"rendered":"Just a lay person? Ouch!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why did I add “Ouch!” to the title of this post? Referring to yourself or anyone else in the Body of Christ as “just a lay person” is a hurtful comment.<\/p>\n

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  1. If the lay person makes the statement, it betrays a sense of inferiority regarding the view of one’s self in the Body.<\/li>\n
  2. If the clergy makes the statement, it emits a sense of superiority regarding the view of one’s self in the Body.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    At the Root of a Lay Person Complex<\/h2>\n

    To make such a statement from either point of view suggests inferiority of lay people to clergy or paid professionals<\/a>. The flow chart would depict a hierarchical structure in doing ministry with the clergy at the top not just in terms of decision-making but also worth or importance.<\/p>\n

    Question:<\/em> How does this fit into the priesthood of all believers? See 1 Peter 2:9<\/span>.<\/p>\n

    In addition, it could suggest the view of the importance of some spiritual gifts over others. Certainly someone with the gift of service or helps, it could be argued, is not as critical as a person with the gift of pastor or leadership.<\/p>\n

    Question:<\/em> How does that reconcile with God’s teaching on the Body and spiritual gifts that all are needed and all are important? See 1 Corinthians 12:14-26<\/span>.<\/p>\n

    Why a Low View of Lay People Hurts<\/h2>\n

    Consider all these different ways a low view of laity hurts the Body.<\/p>\n