Report on the
Council of the Clergy
Meetings
Bryn Athyn, PA – June 24-28, 2014
The Rev. Kenneth J. Alden
A
s ministers prepared and gathered for the 2014 Council of the Clergy
meetings, we had a sense that all eyes were on us. We would, of course,
be considering general doctrinal presentations designed to facilitate ongoing
development of the doctrine of the Church. We would, as always, have business
to conduct as a Council. But this year the Church knew that we would be
discussing “Women in the Ministry,” as the topic has come to be known.
The Rt. Rev. Brian W. Keith had said in the March-April issue of New
Church Life (pp. 121-122) that the Council would be reappraising our practice
of inaugurating men into the priesthood. He said ministers were being
encouraged to re-examine what the Word says on this and related subjects so
that our practice going forward may be based on our best understanding of
the Word.
Accordingly, discussion of doctrin