From the Revd Michael Allen
Sir, - The debate on non-stipendiary/self-supporting ministry
(Comment, 20 June;
Letters, 27 June) seems to have missed a key point, that it is,
first, a gift to the world of work, and to walking with lay people
in their callings. When I was a worker-priest in the 1960 and '70s,
it was seen as a pioneer ministry. Some still have that vision, but
the Church and some such ministers have domesticated SSMs to
keeping the parish system going.
MICHAEL ALLEN
8 Grenville Rise
Nottingham NG5 8EW
