Paul Stevens landmark biblical study of what he considers to be the true identity of the people of God is important to any consideration of our participation in the mission of God. In his book ‘The Abolition of the Laity’ he sets out how the New Testament does not make distinctions between ordained clergy and laity. He argues that the concept of ‘laity’ needs ‘abolishing’ as a nomenclature to describe ordinary Christian believers. The laity needs to be rightly conceived of by the reinvigoration of the biblical phrase the ‘people of God.’ He points out that the Greek word Laos means ‘people.’ It refers to all believers as the ‘people of God’ in its New Testament context. Fundamental to his argument is that those who are ordained to professional ministry have often disempowered the so called ‘laity’, because of a professionalization of the idea of Christian service, making it particularly the property of the properly trained and educated minister. He suggests that every person in the Christian community needs to be redefined in terms of their identity as ‘the people of God,’ who God has sent to exercise their gifts as works of service (ministry).
Andy Hardy
Undergraduate Programme Director
Bibliography
Stevens P (2000) Abolition of the Laity: Send the Light