What religious rituals could be modified to adjust to times?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps we could rethink the role of the priest, preacher, rabbi?
The whole fiasco is a business, with the congregation paying a lot to support the priests living expenses and family. A lot of that money could be used better to support important work like charity, which is what congratulations are supposed to do.
Historically the priest is just a relic of times gone past. Everyone can read, everyone has a copy of the holy book. Anyone can listen to a sermon via radio, podcast. People are educated enough to not need the services. Paying someone to preach once a week and hold the occasional wedding, funeral is excessive

Is that all you think they do?
Our rector ( Episcopal) does a lot more than that and works every day of the week except Monday and even on Mondays will handle emergencies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps we could rethink the role of the priest, preacher, rabbi?
The whole fiasco is a business, with the congregation paying a lot to support the priests living expenses and family. A lot of that money could be used better to support important work like charity, which is what congratulations are supposed to do.
Historically the priest is just a relic of times gone past. Everyone can read, everyone has a copy of the holy book. Anyone can listen to a sermon via radio, podcast. People are educated enough to not need the services. Paying someone to preach once a week and hold the occasional wedding, funeral is excessive

Is that all you think they do?
Our rector ( Episcopal) does a lot more than that and works every day of the week except Monday and even on Mondays will handle emergencies.

How does that differ from the people volunteering without pay?
Is the congregation really there to support the priests life style

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps we could rethink the role of the priest, preacher, rabbi?
The whole fiasco is a business, with the congregation paying a lot to support the priests living expenses and family. A lot of that money could be used better to support important work like charity, which is what congratulations are supposed to do.
Historically the priest is just a relic of times gone past. Everyone can read, everyone has a copy of the holy book. Anyone can listen to a sermon via radio, podcast. People are educated enough to not need the services. Paying someone to preach once a week and hold the occasional wedding, funeral is excessive

Is that all you think they do?
Our rector ( Episcopal) does a lot more than that and works every day of the week except Monday and even on Mondays will handle emergencies.

How does that differ from the people volunteering without pay?
Is the congregation really there to support the priests life style

A lot of people like to hear some wisdom from their pastor once a week. There are so many outlets for wise words these days, I don't see how this model will last much longer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps we could rethink the role of the priest, preacher, rabbi?
The whole fiasco is a business, with the congregation paying a lot to support the priests living expenses and family. A lot of that money could be used better to support important work like charity, which is what congratulations are supposed to do.
Historically the priest is just a relic of times gone past. Everyone can read, everyone has a copy of the holy book. Anyone can listen to a sermon via radio, podcast. People are educated enough to not need the services. Paying someone to preach once a week and hold the occasional wedding, funeral is excessive

Is that all you think they do?
Our rector ( Episcopal) does a lot more than that and works every day of the week except Monday and even on Mondays will handle emergencies.

How does that differ from the people volunteering without pay?
Is the congregation really there to support the priests life style

A lot of people like to hear some wisdom from their pastor once a week. There are so many outlets for wise words these days, I don't see how this model will last much longer.

If I want to hear wise words about politics or unsolved crimes I’ll go to a podcast, thanks. If I want to hear a religious interpretation I’ll go hear a sermon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps we could rethink the role of the priest, preacher, rabbi?
The whole fiasco is a business, with the congregation paying a lot to support the priests living expenses and family. A lot of that money could be used better to support important work like charity, which is what congratulations are supposed to do.
Historically the priest is just a relic of times gone past. Everyone can read, everyone has a copy of the holy book. Anyone can listen to a sermon via radio, podcast. People are educated enough to not need the services. Paying someone to preach once a week and hold the occasional wedding, funeral is excessive

Is that all you think they do?
Our rector ( Episcopal) does a lot more than that and works every day of the week except Monday and even on Mondays will handle emergencies.

How does that differ from the people volunteering without pay?
Is the congregation really there to support the priests life style

A lot of people like to hear some wisdom from their pastor once a week. There are so many outlets for wise words these days, I don't see how this model will last much longer.

If I want to hear wise words about politics or unsolved crimes I’ll go to a podcast, thanks. If I want to hear a religious interpretation I’ll go hear a sermon.

I can also read the book myself
I am not so dumb that I need someone else to do that for me

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps we could rethink the role of the priest, preacher, rabbi?
The whole fiasco is a business, with the congregation paying a lot to support the priests living expenses and family. A lot of that money could be used better to support important work like charity, which is what congratulations are supposed to do.
Historically the priest is just a relic of times gone past. Everyone can read, everyone has a copy of the holy book. Anyone can listen to a sermon via radio, podcast. People are educated enough to not need the services. Paying someone to preach once a week and hold the occasional wedding, funeral is excessive

Is that all you think they do?
Our rector ( Episcopal) does a lot more than that and works every day of the week except Monday and even on Mondays will handle emergencies.

How does that differ from the people volunteering without pay?
Is the congregation really there to support the priests life style

A lot of people like to hear some wisdom from their pastor once a week. There are so many outlets for wise words these days, I don't see how this model will last much longer.

If I want to hear wise words about politics or unsolved crimes I’ll go to a podcast, thanks. If I want to hear a religious interpretation I’ll go hear a sermon.

I can also read the book myself
I am not so dumb that I need someone else to do that for me

Who is forcing either of you to attend services? You can skip. But there are many people who want to be there. Of course, I can read my religion’s holy texts myself. I’m not going for story time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps we could rethink the role of the priest, preacher, rabbi?
The whole fiasco is a business, with the congregation paying a lot to support the priests living expenses and family. A lot of that money could be used better to support important work like charity, which is what congratulations are supposed to do.
Historically the priest is just a relic of times gone past. Everyone can read, everyone has a copy of the holy book. Anyone can listen to a sermon via radio, podcast. People are educated enough to not need the services. Paying someone to preach once a week and hold the occasional wedding, funeral is excessive

Is that all you think they do?
Our rector ( Episcopal) does a lot more than that and works every day of the week except Monday and even on Mondays will handle emergencies.

How does that differ from the people volunteering without pay?
Is the congregation really there to support the priests life style

A lot of people like to hear some wisdom from their pastor once a week. There are so many outlets for wise words these days, I don't see how this model will last much longer.

If I want to hear wise words about politics or unsolved crimes I’ll go to a podcast, thanks. If I want to hear a religious interpretation I’ll go hear a sermon.

I can also read the book myself
I am not so dumb that I need someone else to do that for me

You do you. But many of us want somebody who’s studied the book to help us interpret, whether or not we feel bound by their interpretation. And we also like to be part of a community of seekers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps we could rethink the role of the priest, preacher, rabbi?
The whole fiasco is a business, with the congregation paying a lot to support the priests living expenses and family. A lot of that money could be used better to support important work like charity, which is what congratulations are supposed to do.
Historically the priest is just a relic of times gone past. Everyone can read, everyone has a copy of the holy book. Anyone can listen to a sermon via radio, podcast. People are educated enough to not need the services. Paying someone to preach once a week and hold the occasional wedding, funeral is excessive

Is that all you think they do?
Our rector ( Episcopal) does a lot more than that and works every day of the week except Monday and even on Mondays will handle emergencies.

How does that differ from the people volunteering without pay?
Is the congregation really there to support the priests life style

A lot of people like to hear some wisdom from their pastor once a week. There are so many outlets for wise words these days, I don't see how this model will last much longer.

If I want to hear wise words about politics or unsolved crimes I’ll go to a podcast, thanks. If I want to hear a religious interpretation I’ll go hear a sermon.

I can also read the book myself
I am not so dumb that I need someone else to do that for me

Who is forcing either of you to attend services? You can skip. But there are many people who want to be there. Of course, I can read my religion’s holy texts myself. I’m not going for story time.

Pp who mentioned the podcasts here. I meant that I’d go to church for the sermons, that a podcast can’t replace that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps we could rethink the role of the priest, preacher, rabbi?
The whole fiasco is a business, with the congregation paying a lot to support the priests living expenses and family. A lot of that money could be used better to support important work like charity, which is what congratulations are supposed to do.
Historically the priest is just a relic of times gone past. Everyone can read, everyone has a copy of the holy book. Anyone can listen to a sermon via radio, podcast. People are educated enough to not need the services. Paying someone to preach once a week and hold the occasional wedding, funeral is excessive

Is that all you think they do?
Our rector ( Episcopal) does a lot more than that and works every day of the week except Monday and even on Mondays will handle emergencies.

How does that differ from the people volunteering without pay?
Is the congregation really there to support the priests life style

A lot of people like to hear some wisdom from their pastor once a week. There are so many outlets for wise words these days, I don't see how this model will last much longer.

If I want to hear wise words about politics or unsolved crimes I’ll go to a podcast, thanks. If I want to hear a religious interpretation I’ll go hear a sermon.

I can also read the book myself
I am not so dumb that I need someone else to do that for me

You do you. But many of us want somebody who’s studied the book to help us interpret, whether or not we feel bound by their interpretation. And we also like to be part of a community of seekers.

Now you're talking. Who cares if the sermons are boring when you can see the same friendly faces week after week. The sermon is just part of a bargain - along with the vestments and building maintenance. And annual salaries And choir directors, etc.

[Anonymous]

So a minister could look after more than one congregation.
You could have y bishop write the sermon, the lay people take turns reading it, or have video conference for the speaker

The current set up is extremely expensive. Just imagine if church budget could include 50% charity

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps we could rethink the role of the priest, preacher, rabbi?
The whole fiasco is a business, with the congregation paying a lot to support the priests living expenses and family. A lot of that money could be used better to support important work like charity, which is what congratulations are supposed to do.
Historically the priest is just a relic of times gone past. Everyone can read, everyone has a copy of the holy book. Anyone can listen to a sermon via radio, podcast. People are educated enough to not need the services. Paying someone to preach once a week and hold the occasional wedding, funeral is excessive

Is that all you think they do?
Our rector ( Episcopal) does a lot more than that and works every day of the week except Monday and even on Mondays will handle emergencies.

How does that differ from the people volunteering without pay?
Is the congregation really there to support the priests life style

A lot of people like to hear some wisdom from their pastor once a week. There are so many outlets for wise words these days, I don't see how this model will last much longer.

If I want to hear wise words about politics or unsolved crimes I’ll go to a podcast, thanks. If I want to hear a religious interpretation I’ll go hear a sermon.

I can also read the book myself
I am not so dumb that I need someone else to do that for me

You do you. But many of us want somebody who’s studied the book to help us interpret, whether or not we feel bound by their interpretation. And we also like to be part of a community of seekers.

Now you're talking. Who cares if the sermons are boring when you can see the same friendly faces week after week. The sermon is just part of a bargain - along with the vestments and building maintenance. And annual salaries And choir directors, etc.

The sermons are the best part, imo, because they’re different every week and provoke thought. If community is what you want, there are plenty of other opportunities, like book clubs and meetups and classes for your favorite craft/sport/activity.

Yet plenty still go to church. So there’s definitely something about a church service and community that you don’t understand, or don’t want to understand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So a minister could look after more than one congregation.
You could have y bishop write the sermon, the lay people take turns reading it, or have video conference for the speaker

The current set up is extremely expensive. Just imagine if church budget could include 50% charity

Some ministers already do handle more than one congregation, when the churches involved are small. At some point, when the congregations get larger, this becomes unfeasible because one minister can’t handle all the personal counseling, funerals, visiting the sick, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So a minister could look after more than one congregation.
You could have y bishop write the sermon, the lay people take turns reading it, or have video conference for the speaker

The current set up is extremely expensive. Just imagine if church budget could include 50% charity

Some ministers already do handle more than one congregation, when the churches involved are small. At some point, when the congregations get larger, this becomes unfeasible because one minister can’t handle all the personal counseling, funerals, visiting the sick, etc.

My experience is that you are on your own when you get sick, become unemployed, go through divorce
The church is not there for people like that. It is a business.
Only select few who are very well connected get visits from the priest

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So a minister could look after more than one congregation.
You could have y bishop write the sermon, the lay people take turns reading it, or have video conference for the speaker

The current set up is extremely expensive. Just imagine if church budget could include 50% charity

Some ministers already do handle more than one congregation, when the churches involved are small. At some point, when the congregations get larger, this becomes unfeasible because one minister can’t handle all the personal counseling, funerals, visiting the sick, etc.

My experience is that you are on your own when you get sick, become unemployed, go through divorce
The church is not there for people like that. It is a business.
Only select few who are very well connected get visits from the priest

I’m guessing you never reached out to your minister/priest to let him/her know what was going on in your life. I know priests who spend a lot of the week visiting people in hospitals and taking communion to those who are home-bound. It’s true they probably won’t visit you for the flu though—no time to do that for everybody.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So a minister could look after more than one congregation.
You could have y bishop write the sermon, the lay people take turns reading it, or have video conference for the speaker

The current set up is extremely expensive. Just imagine if church budget could include 50% charity

Some ministers already do handle more than one congregation, when the churches involved are small. At some point, when the congregations get larger, this becomes unfeasible because one minister can’t handle all the personal counseling, funerals, visiting the sick, etc.

My experience is that you are on your own when you get sick, become unemployed, go through divorce
The church is not there for people like that. It is a business.
Only select few who are very well connected get visits from the priest

Our minister is very much available for counseling of all kinds. You just have to ask.