8 - The Laity and Patterns of Ministry

Summary

This chapter examines continuity and change within the role of the laity of the Church in Wales since disestablishment. From 1920 lay persons played a significant role in the life of the church, as donors, fund-raisers, churchwardens, and in other leading roles and offices in governance and administration, not least in the work of the Governing Body and the Representative Body. The chapter argues that their contribution to church life has been considerably more than paying, praying, and obeying. The work of bodies such as the mothers union and youth movements are used as case studies to illustrate these realities. The former culture of lay deference to the clergy seems to be waning, and a church-wide review of 2012 proposed a far greater role for the laity in the running of churches at the most localised level - the chapter looks critically at how this is being played out. All in all, there is clear evidence that, whilst church membership declines, lay people are making a claim to a wider ministry in the church which arises not by birth but by baptism. The chapter suggests that it is time, therefore, for the Church in Wales to reflect more fully on the role of the laity as this is set out in the principles of canon law common to the churches of the Anglican Communion to equip them more effectively for the mission of the church.