>Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. [Matthew 28:16 KJV] The eleven had a specific appointment and at that appointment they were instructed : >And Jesus came and spake unto them [Matthew 28:18 KJV] Jesus spake unto *them*, that is to say, to the eleven. >And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. [Matthew 28:18 KJ] Because all power in heaven and in earth has been given to Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, therefore he says to the eleven : >Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [Matthew 28:19 KJV] These words were uttered to the eleven and later another was called, specifically and particularly, by Jesus Christ's audible words, namely Saul of Tarsus, thereafter called Paul. To him was also given like commandment 'he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel'. Thereafter a ministry became evident, such as John Mark, Silvanus, Epaphras, Timothy and Titus. Not of the eleven but marked out as a ministry sent to the whole church (not to any specific location) and to propagate the gospel throughout the known world. Paul writes three epistles to this ongoing, next-generation ministry, instructing them in doctrine and in church government. These men, and only these men, may appoint elders. Here is a definite structure dependent upon the calling, directly, of Jesus Christ. Without that calling, generation by generation, there will be none to 'teach and baptise' among the nations. One cannot self-appoint oneself to the vocation or to the task. I can see no evidence here for a 'Great Commission' uttered to the entire church as though the congregations themselves had a 'commandment' as such from the risen and all-powerful Christ. Quite the opposite, the content of the epistles conveys a godly humility, household-centred Christianity and a very local influence among the parochial populace. To say 'the Great Commission' is to the entire body of the congregations, to my mind belittles the Ministry - that of teaching and preaching (to the assemblies and also to the whole earth) as a definite vocation to singularly called persons. Where did this idea come from of a 'Great Commission' which is generic to the entire body of Christ ? I cannot find such words in my bible. I am asking this question specifically of Trinitarian Protestants as it seems to me that the concept has generated from within that part of Christendom. ---------------------------------- The other matter which complicates this issue is what J N Darby called 'the notion of a clergyman ; sin against the Holy Spirit' that is to say the denial of a ministry sent to the entire church and the notion that each local assembly should have its own, private, appointed, salaried clergyman. But I shall ask another question on that second complication. ----------------------------------------- EDIT AFTER COMMENTS : I suggest that there are two aspects. One's local life, home life, church life; and there is the gospel being preached to all creation which is beyond the abilities or capacities of common believers and is the province of the especially called. Both are true. Both are immediate. Both are essential. Neither should be neglected. And one should not diminish the other.

Are couples who are not married in the Catholic Church, but are married civilly, really not allowed to serve in their parish? What I mean by "serve" is to act as a head of a particular parish organization or even as a lector. Kindly give me the exact law on this.

In case of a global catastrophe (nuclear war or something similar), a big majority of the global population would die, including pope, all bishops, all priests, all deacons. In all churches with apostolic succession (Catholic, Orthodox,...). However, there will be a small community of lay catholic people in one place. Let's say ten thousands, including theologically educated adults. What would be subsequent life of Catholic church? - Would catholic church exist? I am not asking on the sacramental life that would be most likely limited to baptism and matrimony only. I am asking whether we would speak about catholic church. Not just believers, but church itself. Are there any supportive or declining references in the official teaching of the church for "yes" or "no"?

Are Catholic schools run by seculars (non-religious laity) a post-Vatican II novelty?

I'm constructing a survey of Anglican worshippers in England. One of the questions asks about _ordination-status_, with the following options: * I am ordained * I am a curate * I am a licensed lay-person * I am an unlicensed lay-person For worshippers in the Church of England, are these categories: * **comprehensive** (_everyone_ is described by _one_ of them) * **exclusive** (_no-one_ is described by _two_ of them)?

According to apostolic churches (those claiming apostolicity), what powers do the lay people unordained have? For example, both the Church of Rome and the Anglican church agree that a lay person can baptise in an emergency: [Emergency Baptism](https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/common-worship/christian-initiation/emergency-baptism) . 1284 In case of necessity, any person can baptize provided that he have the intention of doing that which the Church does and provided that he pours water on the candidate's head while saying: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." (CCC)

Wikipedia definition: > Lay ecclesial ministry is the term adopted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to identify the relatively new category of pastoral ministers in the Catholic Church who serve the Church but are not ordained. Lay ecclesial ministers are coworkers with the bishop alongside priests and deacons. Is there a more or less standardized certification process? Is there a formal education requirement? Does it depend on the ministry? Must a priest sponsor the minister? What about the bishop?