This book examines the ecclesiology and theology of the Locally Ordained Minister (OLM), priests and deacons, particularly in the Anglican Communion, who are ordained and licensed for ministry in a particular area. Noel Cox argues that the introduction of OLM raises difficult ecclesiological questions in the church.

The development of new forms of ministry, lay and ordained, has included worker-priests, now found in the Anglican Communion in a related form variously called Self-Supporting Ministry (SSM) or Non-Stipendiary Ministry (NSM). This book focuses on one of the most recent developments, the creation of Ordained Local Ministry. After chapters that consider preliminary questions of the nature of ministry, such as authority in the church and Holy Orders, Noel Cox argues that the crucial distinction between these and other forms of ministry is that the Ordained Local Minister (OLM) is overtly ordained specifically for a given locality (variously defined); they are a deacon or priest for a specific church, parish, benefice, or deanery, rather than of the universal church. Their introduction inevitably raises difficult ecclesiological questions, which Cox examines.

Chapter 1 The church and Holy Orders

Chapter 2 Sources and Limits on Authority

Chapter 3 The Priesthood of All Believers

Chapter 4 Local Ordained Ministry

Chapter 5 Local or Universal Ministry

Chapter 6 Challenges to New Forms of Ministry

Chapter 7 Ecumenism and Holy Orders

Chapter 8 Implications