Clergy are uneasy about this phenomenon, but they shouldn't be for two reasons: by aiding in the growth of "their" laity, they will be spawning increases in membership; by allowing God to lead the individual, the mission of the church will be enhanced.
To see this, we need to understand 1 Corinthians 1 in light of shattered holographic images. Our body is made up of many members, each serving different ordained and vital purposes. The local church, as a body, has many members of whom serve different ordained and vital purposes. The Local Church in a community, as a body, has many members (churches), each serving different ordained and vital purposes. And this could go on, with each a microcosm of the other - complete in tasks God has given it to do yet vitally different. In each view, the members are necessarily components of the body.
The Ecumenical paradigm is not a call for denominational lines to work together - this bespeaks of hierarchy and top-down leadership - no, it is a bottom-up movement of interdenominational laity merging together in the common purpose of outreach into the world. It is not merely the intellectual co operation of theologians but it is men, women and children, families and singles, professionals and laymen, working independently and collectively together in order to fulfill their purpose in God's Kingdom. It is a paradigm which transcends boundaries within our faith since in this view there is no longer orthodox, catholic, protestant, evangelical, charismatic. The common goal is bringing Man to God in reconciliation - and it is guaranteed that there will be people to fill all the empty churches and need for more structures yet. I personally enjoy worship in an Anglican liturgical context - but that is me - others will seek and enjoy the communal aspects of the orthodox faith, others still the teaching of another, or the singing of another or the giving of another. So let there be no division among laity and/or clergy, God will bless us as we step out in service to Him.
In all of this the clergy plays a vital role, not in leading but in feeding.[11] Today's individuals are straining to find meaning in service but do not know their gifts and are not being trained to serve God with abilities in the world. This is the clergy's pre eminent job.[12]
