In this episode, Fr Lorenzo talks with The Rev Nandra Perry, Ph.D. about the emerging models of ministry as the church continues to change. 

The conversation explores the changing landscape of the church and the emerging models of ministry, particularly focusing on lay-led and bi-vocational congregations. The statistics show a decline in the number of priests entering the workforce and an increase in lay-led congregations. The discussion highlights the opportunities and challenges of these new models, including the need for spiritual support and the shift towards a relational model of church. The conversation also touches on the importance of reimagining the role of buildings and embracing ecclesiastical flexibility. Overall, the conversation offers a hopeful perspective on the future of the church.

Takeaways

·      The number of priests entering the workforce is declining, while lay-led and bi-vocational congregations are increasing.

·      Lay-led congregations offer opportunities for more engagement and bottom-up approaches to ministry.

·      There is a need for spiritual support and community for lay leaders in these congregations.

·      The church needs to embrace ecclesiastical flexibility and reimagine the role of buildings.

·      Despite the challenges, there is hope and potential for growth in small congregations.

The Rev. Nandra Perry, Ph.D, joined the seminary’s staff and faculty as Director of the Iona Collaborative on June 1, 2020. In her addition to her role at the seminary, Perry serves as Vicar of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Hearne, Texas (since 2017). She is a graduate of the Iona School for Ministry in the Diocese of Texas and was ordained to the priesthood in 2017. Perry received her Ph.D. in Renaissance Literature and Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill in 2003. Among her many published works is Imitatio Christi: The Poetics of Piety in Early Modern England (Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 2014). She comes to the seminary from Texas A&M University, where she was an Associate Professor in the Department of English and a faculty affiliate in Religious Studies.

Website: https://iona.ssw.edu/