[CS-FSLUG] United Church ministers want to unionize

[Don Parris]

On Fri, 5 Nov 2004 09:39:58 -0600, Ed Hurst <ehurst at asisaid.com> wrote:
> On Friday 05 November 2004 07:57, Frank Bax wrote:
> > VANCOUVER - Some United Church ministers in Ontario and B.C. are
> > trying to unionize, saying they want to improve their poor working
> > conditions.
> 
> Great. One more step toward making churches just like corporations. I
> surrendered to the ministry *expecting* to work excess hours and starve
> for it.
> 
> I understand the gripe they have with the upper hierarchy. I should
> think there's a better way to handle it, because unionizing almost
> guarantees one more batch of bricks in the wall separating "clergy" and
> "laity" later.
> 
And I didn't even get paid at all for my ministry.  Guess that makes
me a slave to Christ.  This is appalling.  I don't get paid at all. 
And everyone wants me to perform my ministry for free.  I always get
offered the "volunteer" ministry slots.  Not that there's anything
wrong with that, but many other ministers get paid for the same kinds
of positions.  I frequently feel that many do want to muzzle the ox
while he threshes - at least this one.

I'm not complaining here.  I'm simply pointing out that despite my
frustrating experiences I cannot imagine organizing a union.  I
generally stand for what I believe in, but as Ed pointed out,
ministers should recognize that the ministry is not an occupation, but
a calling.

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