Wiccan Clergy
				For whatever reason, I have been pondering the idea of Wiccan clergy as it relates to the larger pagan community versus the traditional roles of an HP or HPS in a coven setting. It seems to me that as time passes, and as wiccan groups get larger and larger, the concept of clergy within the wiccan faith has evolved. Does clergy truly have a role in a wiccan community? If so, then what should that role encompass? Should it at all? Where has it come from, and where is witchcraft heading? How do groups choose their clergy? What are the requirements and how are they established? Can we assume that because one is seen as an 'elder' in community that they automatically become clergy, or is there more to it? How is it that we can ensure various groups and traditions within the larger pagan community are effectively represented? The questions seem to out number the answers, but I will try to add some of my opinions on the issue below. I would welcome feedback on this issue - please drop me a line at willow21@hotmail.com!
	Where to start? This topic is such a vast one. I consider myself lucky to have had the advantage of being part of a large pagan community that is growing rapidly and is now requiring what one would term 'clergy'. Within our group there are many people who have, over the years, worked many long hours to establish a pagan meeting place for people in the Calgary area. These leaders also wanted to works towards recognition from our provincial government, and in so doing were told that they needed to establish themselves as a 'church'. I think that this is where the initial ideas of board governance and clergy emerged. Clearly the government could not find a mould to fit us, so we conformed to their traditional standards. The vast ability we now have to communicate with other witches and pagans (ie. the advent of telephones, fax machines, computers, email, and the internet) has led us to require representation to outside groups - another role that clergy undoubtedly plays. So, after a few years, the group started growing, ever so slowly, untill the last few years where a large population growth was noticed. This is where I believe that clergy took on a more active and meaningful role. Clergy in the community were now being asked to perform rites of passage such as funerals, wicannings, and handfastings. In addition to these rites of passage, they were also being approached to form teaching groups, perform initiations, and offer counselling of a spiritual nature. After thinking about this for a while and the people who take on these responsibilites, I have come to the conclusion that in larger groups it is advantageous to have clergy in some form or another. Now saying that, I would like to look at how these people are chosen to represent the whole. After a discussion with a friend of mine about this very issue we touched on some items such as democratic process and characteristics of people that we choose to serve and represent us that I would like to share with you here. In the Calgary community, our clergy is elected every year by the membership. The democratic process is one that I fully support and believe works reasonably well for our group. But to run in the election as clergy candidates one must meet certain requirements as established by the Covenant and its board of directors. This leads me to my next rambling. Should one automatically become eligible to be clergy simply because they are elders in the community, or because they have attained their third degree? Personally, I think not. And I don't think that is how it works locally. I liken it to my academic studies. Just because I have gone to school, learned the material, and been able to spout it off again on the exam, does NOT make me a good paramedic. There is a difference between a paramedic that does the bare minimum and one who is truly good at what they do. Constantly striving to learn more and contribute to the well being of their profession and patiets is what makes a truly good medic. I think the same can be said for wiccan clergy - there is a difference between a witch and a _good_ witch. So, what makes a _good_ witch? One worthy of the title of clergy? I think that ones personal characteristics come into play here. Someone who is dedicated to their craft, supports the learning of others, strives to learn themselves, is active in community activities (local and pagan), a strong leader, stable in their day to day lives etc... But who judges this? And how can we? Should there be a checklist of must haves? Or should it be left to those who are presently serving as clergy to determine those who are to follow them? Net result of all of this for me? More questions than answers! For now, all I can say is that the model I have seen is one that works for our group and our present clergy members serve us tirelessly and well - but does it fit the needs of other large pagan groups and will it meet the needs of our group in the future? And will it keep evolving and changing as the craft rapidly grows? Time will tell.... Please allow me time to polish up the rough edges of this document - there are many! It will be revised in days to come.
		Okay, enough of this - head back to the wicca page!