I hate to appear cynical concerning Fr. Stebinger's suggestion that selected laity regularly take over some of the preaching for ordained persons whose forte is other than delivering the word, for there is also little doubt in my mind that some laity could do a creditable job.

However, is this not just another excuse to reduce the workload of the clergy, not unlike undirected "sabbaticals"; the use of chalice bearers (though there are, admittedly, other reasons for them), eucharistic ministers, assistants to the rector and priestly associates; church business managers; subsidized extra vacations; use of car allowance for salary increase, etc.?

The writer lists, among other faults, poor organization, weak delivery, lack of connection to the gospel, length, and burn-out as reasons for inadequate clergy performance, yet proposes to train lay persons to avoid these pitfalls! And then he pities the clergy because they have had to preach so often in their career.

As a retired professor, I should like to assure all clerics that I have "outpreached" them in the classroom by about 15 times each week for 30-40 years. Inadequate and ineffective or incompetent (read: heretical) instruction would have been my ticket to loss of tenure and firing.

My solution to the problem is: 1. to seek the congregation's criticism (students give it all the time; why not parishioners?) and/or 2. to urge the clergy to read from the pulpit professionally composed sermons. Our last former rector did this every Sunday, with only personalized alterations, and garnered regular compliments.

D.D. HOOK