NATIONAL LAY CONFERENCE

The Iglesia Filipina Independiente is a Church that is episcopally-led and synodically-governed. The 1977 Constitution and Canons expressly ensured the equitable participation of lay people in the governance and administration of the Church, and as partners of the ordained in pursuing the mission of the Church.

One good result that had transpired as a consequence of the 1977 Constitution and Canons was the consolidation of the mandated lay organizations of men, women and youth at the national down to the parish levels. This level of organizational development has triggered the active participation of the laity in decision-making from the national (General Assembly, Executive Commission) down to the parish councils. The expertise, experiences and specialization of lay people in other fields and discipline have been added values that further enriched the Church’s capacity in the formulation of realistic, relevant and responsive policies which resulted into a more dynamic, vibrant and proficient type of governance.

The partnership between the clergy and the laity in pursuing the mission and managing the affairs of the Church in the last three decades had brought forth tremendous positive and fruitful results. However, there have been instances, especially at the diocesan and parish levels, where this partnership did not function effectively due to a number of reasons.

Common to the many problems encountered is rooted or attributed to improper, non-observance, or even unawareness of duly-approved policies. There is a need to sum-up these experiences, draw lessons from the engagement of the laity in the life, work and witness of the Church for the past thirty years and develop a strategy where success stories reaped over time in various levels could be mainstreamed by formulating enabling policy guidelines that could be collectively pursued. One effective approach is the holding of a National Lay Conference.

The National Lay Conference aims to achieve three inter-related objectives. Firstly, it will provide opportunity for the delegates to level off and arrive at a common understanding of the biblical, theological and institutional bases of lay participation and the significant roles and responsibilities in the life, work and witness of the Church.

Secondly, the conference will serve as a forum to discuss and formulate a programmatic plan for the National Lay Council that would adequately respond to the call and thrusts of the Church.

Thirdly, the gathering is an occasion for the three mandated lay organizations to fellowship together and to strengthen the bonds of cooperation and collaborative efforts at the national, regional and diocesan levels.