The Lay-Centered Church

by Leonard Doohan

Overview

Dr. Leonard Doohan is Professor Emeritus at Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington. He has written twenty-four books and many articles and has given hundreds of workshops throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the Far East. Dr. Doohan has written six books on various aspects of the New Testament, and six books on the spirituality and roles of laity in the contemporary church. Doohan's recent books include Spiritual Leadership: The Quest for Integrity (2007), Enjoying Retirement: Living Life to the Fullest (2010), Courageous Hope: The Call of Leadership (2011), The One Thing Necessary: The Transforming Power of Christian Love (2012), Spiritual Leadership: How to Become a Great Spiritual Leader--Ten Steps and a Hundred Suggestions (2014), Ten Strategies to Nurture Our Spiritual Lives (2014), and Rediscovering Jesus' Priorities (2014).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781532606502
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	08/26/2016
Pages:	190
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Dr. Leonard Doohan is Professor Emeritus at Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington. He has written twenty-four books and many articles and has given hundreds of workshops throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the Far East. Dr. Doohan has written six books on various aspects of the New Testament, and six books on the spirituality and roles of laity in the contemporary church. Doohan's recent books include Spiritual Leadership: The Quest for Integrity (2007), Enjoying Retirement: Living Life to the Fullest (2010), Courageous Hope: The Call of Leadership (2011), The One Thing Necessary: The Transforming Power of Christian Love (2012), Spiritual Leadership: How to Become a Great Spiritual Leader—Ten Steps and a Hundred Suggestions (2014), Ten Strategies to Nurture Our Spiritual Lives (2014), and Rediscovering Jesus' Priorities (2014).

Table of Contents

Preface xi

Chapter 1 Theologies of the Laity Since Vatican II: An Overview 1

Introduction 1

Theology of Instrumental Ministry 4

Historical and contemporary manifestations 4

Notable strengths of this position 7

Recent questioning of this position 7

Theology of Ecclesial Presence to the World 8

Theological foundations for this model 8

Positive aspects of this theology 11

Some problems in this position 12

Theology of World Transformation 12

Description of this approach 12

Strengths and value of this position 14

Some shortcomings of this approach 15

Theology of Laity and Ecclesial Restructuring 16

Trends calling for ecclesial restructuring 16

Positive values of this position 19

Problems: A theology in transition 19

Theology of Self-Discovery for Laity 20

Situational involvement 20

Positive strivings in faith and love 22

Shortcoming: A decreased sense of belonging to a structured Church 22

Conclusion: A Theology of Laity as Integrally Church 23

Chapter 2 Laity in the Church Today: An Assessment of Attitudes and Structures 26

Introduction 26

Laity and Their Ecclesial Responsibility 28

Structures and authority 30

Rights and duties 33

Collaboration within a common vision 36

Lay Spiritual Life and Growth 38

Post-conciliar spiritual renewal 38

Incarnational spirituality 40

Lay spirituality 42

Laity: Mission and Ministry 43

Ecclesial vision 44

Shared responsibility 47

Problems for ministry 49

Some Pastoral and Theological Problems 53

Questionable priorities 54

One-sided teachings 56

Other problem areas 59

Conclusion 60

Chapter 3 The Church as Family 62

Introduction 62

Church as the Family of God 63

Getting to know the Church 64

The Church as family 67

Church Living as a Family Spirituality 72

Ecclesial qualities of family life 73

Family qualities of ecclesial life 77

Laity as Integrally Church 80

Theological evaluation of the life and role of laity 80

Laity as foundational Church 82

Laity and the Church's mission 85

Conclusion 88

Chapter 4 Spirituality of All the Baptized 90

Introduction 90

A Brief History of Christian Spirituality 92

Early developments 94

Monasticisms magnetism 96

Later developments 99

Trends in Modern Spirituality 103

Ecclesial trend 105

Incarnational trend 106

Service-oriented trend 108

Liberational trend 110

Characteristics of Christian Spirituality 111

Sense of baptismal vocation 112

Awareness that life is grace 113

Commitment to evangelical life 115

Openness to new priorities 117

Spirituality and Spiritualities 119

The terms spirituality and spiritualities 120

New states of life 122

Lay spirituality 124

Conclusion 125

Concluding Comments 128

Notes 137

Bibliography 157

Index of Subjects 167

Index of Personal Names 173