How does your faith choose it's spiritual leaders? (Respectfully, please)

[cally]

Much of the hurt feelings and perceived Catholic bashing is because I think many of us just don't get how Catholics perceive that the Pope is selected. I kind of get it. The Cardinals are influenced by God to choose the preordained spokesman for God. Thus, the Pope speaks for God. That's my understanding. Please let me know what actually happens.

That is very different from my faith. A Congregation chooses it's minister. We think we have guidance from God but the Congregation chooses. That's both bad and good. It means that there is very little central authority but it also means that ministers have to please their congregations.

I think the reformed Jews are similar. The congregants have influence over their jobs.

I think the Methodists are more centralized.

I couldn't be comfortable in a religion that picks my religious leaders but I think many faiths do.

[leftofthedial]

1. Once a year, we all meet at Clancy's Tavern

The last one conscious is deemed to speak the inerrant word of God Almighty Praise Jesus for the upcoming year.

[Walt Starr]

2. Um,...we don't have any leaders

We are a religion of the clergy.

[davidinalameda]

3. UU is headed by an elected "CEO"

http://www.uua.org/administration/

The UUA is governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of District Trustees (selected by the various Districts), and at-large Trustees, (elected by delegates to the General Assembly). The General Assembly is the annual business meeting of the denomination, held in various parts of the continent. An elected moderator, Gini Courter, presides at the General Assembly and at meetings of the Board of Trustees, and represents the Association on special occasions.

[tubbacheez]

6. One subtle but important distinction to make is that the head of the UUA

is an administrative leader, not necessarily a spiritual leader (which is what the OP asked about).

[cally]

7. Yes, and we don't think our Ministers are closer to God than we are

We see them as teachers to help us.

[davidinalameda]

11. thank you for pointing that out

[Lone Pawn]

4. The Catholic idea is that man is falliable and God is infalliable.

Therefore God would be far better at picking leaders than man would.

[thoughtanarchist]

5. Lawn Darts.

Last man standing.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. By vote. Last vote was a landslide. 1-0. I won.

[Burma Jones]

9. Well, I used to be the spiritual head of my own church

But now, it's Al Swearengen.


Seriously, Presbyterians vote for representatives to regional synods that get together and decide who gets to run the shebang. Our spiritual leader is Jesus "Manny" Christ. Our Ministers are called "Teaching" Elders whereas members of the congregation that get elected to run the affairs of the church are called "Ruling" Elders. Lee "Lee" Elders was the first professional African American Golfer on the PGA Tour.

[liberalitch]

10. Hmmm he/she ahs to be a reincarnation of..

the first dali lama...

[Lydia Leftcoast]

12. Episcopalians

are divided into dioceses, each of which is presided over by a bishop. The bishop is elected by the parishes and may or may not come from the diocese. During the selection process, the candidates hold open forums in different regions of their prospective dioceses. The clergy and representatives of each parish (parishes are alloteed representation by their size) vote.

After a bishop is selected, he or she (yes, we have a couple of women bishops now!) must be approved by the next General Convention. The bishop is responsible for overseeing the priests, approving major moves on the part of the individual parishes, conducting confirmations and ordinations, and administering the diocese in general (churches, schools, charities, camps, employee salaries and benefits,etc.)

The dioceses are grouped together into "provinces," but I don't think there's any specific administrative body associated with them.

Within the U.S., the "bishop of bishops" is known as the presiding bishop. I'm a little unclear on how he is selected, but he is considered head of the national church.

Other countries may do things differently.

The Archbishop of Canterbuy is considered the head of the Anglican Communion, but he has no direct authority over Episcopalians in the U.S. or anywhere else outside England. I know he has to be approved by the Queen and the Prime Minister, since the England has a state church, but I'm not sure how he is chosen in the first place.

[Solly Mack]

13. We draw straws

short straw has to calculate the probability of drawing the short straw given a set of circumstances not unveiled until the short straw is in hand.(could be math.....could be logic/"brain teasers")

Points given for creativity of solution.

the drawing of straws continues until the correct answer presents itself....or we become distracted by our own belly button lint..

Afterward we hold a huge celebration to annoint the Napoleon Dynamite of the I Don't Have A Life congregation of the Dweebdom Kingdom Hall.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

14. Gee, Cally, you asked for serious answers

and everyone's making stupid jokes.