My Wonderful World

My Wonderful World

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Retire in Italy

​Live Your Dream Retirement in Italy

We will answer any question about retiring in Italy for $10.00

Live Your Dream Retirement in Italy

Imagine what it would be like to retire in Italy. Imagine being able to spend every springtime in Rome or Venice or Florence—can’t you just picture yourself meandering beside the Arno River on a perfect May evening, when all the terracotta roofs and ancient palaces are bathed in that special Florentine glow?
But you don’t have to spend all your time in Florence or any of the other great art cities to experience the magic of an Italian retirement. Italy’s landscapes are as gorgeous as they are diverse. Historic walled towns, timeless villages crowning dozens of little hilltops like tiaras, and fields covered with bright yellow sunflowers. Gnarled olive groves and lemon, orange, and almond trees, golden beaches and jewel-like Alpine lakes are found throughout the country.
Discover romantic, mysterious islands, smoldering Mount Etna, or the glittering peaks of the snow-covered Alps and the Dolomites. The Italian lake district is admittedly well trodden, but what do you know about the islands of Sardinia and Sicily? Or of Le Marché, an exquisite region on the eastern coast that shares the same luscious Renaissance landscapes as Tuscany and Umbria, but where properties are much more sensibly priced? Or of Apulia in the far south, a languid land of olive trees fringed by the turquoise Adriatic Sea, and noted for its curious dome-shaped trulli houses?
Wondering if you can afford to retire in Italy? There are numerous options and benefits available to expats wishing to retire to Italy.

Italian Retirement Visa
The elective residency visa is the type of visa generally used by foreigners who are retired and can collect income from a retirement or pension plan. To obtain an elective residency visa, you must apply in person to the specific Italian consulate that covers your jurisdiction before leaving home. To be eligible for this visa, you must provide, along with a few official forms, proof of financial means such as original financial statements from banks, investment/brokerage firms, Social Security, etc., indicating current balances. Such balances cannot be derived from current employment or other work activities. In other words, you cannot finance your residence in Italy through work. You will also need to provide a rental agreement or deed for property in Italy, and proof of valid medical insurance.

Italian Retiree Benefits
Italy doesn’t have a retiree program. But it does have benefits that we think more than make up forthat… stunning scenery, affordable real estate, some of the finest food in the world, enough culture and historical sites that would take a lifetime to experience…the list is endless.

Federal Benefits and Veterans’ Services
Those in receipt of monthly benefits from a federal agency (e.g., Social Security, Department of Veterans Affairs) should contact the federal benefits office if you are changing your address or wish to inquire about procedures for having benefit checks sent overseas. It is also possible to arrange to have Social Security checks deposited directly into your Italian bank account.

Health Care in Italy
​As far as Italian health care is concerned, Italy ranks No. 2 on the World Health Organization’s list of countries with quality health services, which is very important for many people considering a retirement in Italy (neighboring France has the No. 1 spot). In contrast, the U.S. holds 37th place, despite being the highest spender.

Yes, You Can Afford To Retire In Italy…...


Planning a Trip to Italy

Planning a Trip to Italy

We will answer any question about Italy for $10.00

Are you looking for someone to help you plan your trip to Italy? Do you have any questions related to Italy? Need someone to translate an Italian text/document for you? Or you need help with something else related to Italy? A question about Italy and Wikipedia is not helping? A question about Italian culture in a particular area  Recommendations about places to visit and/or foods to try? We will answer any question you have about Italy and the Italian people.

Discover Italy: http://www.italia.it/en/discover-italy.html


Let's Travel Together

Let's Travel Together and Save Money.

This travel group is for ANYONE who is interested in travelling the world at affordable prices. It is usually more affordable, not to mention FUN to travel as a group. It's also a great way to make new friends from all over the world.
​This group is for those who enjoy travelling but may not have a travel partner or prefer to travel in groups, particularly suited to those who like to keep costs down! Whether you want to join in a trip which has been listed, or have seen a deal you'd like other members to know about, I hope that this group will increase opportunities to enjoy traveling in Italy and Europe..

This group is not aimed solely at single people, although it is single people who tend to be looking for travel companions, and IS NOT here to facilitate dating opportunities or hook-ups (although I am not naïve enough to believe that that won't happen, on occasion); couples are very welcome, as are those who are part of a couple but wish to travel without their partner, for whatever reason. We aim to provide a safe and pressure-free environment for everyone, whatever your personal circumstance.

Please remember, however, that we are not professional tour organizers and are not responsible for members, so when travelling, take care of yourself and your possessions and behave responsibly.

This group is free to join and we are open to all and any suggestions, so if there is somewhere you'd like to go, let us know; I keep an eye on all: Go Ahead Tours, Cosmos, Globus deals as well as finding myself on budget airline sites, finding out when the cheapest flights are available. Although we are happy to post special deals from travel organizers, we do not allow commercial advertising on this site, so please post only details of trips which you are intending to take yourself.

If cheap travel, making new friends (and memories) and experiencing the world is what you enjoy, then welcome aboard and happy traveling!

Small Group Tours

Our classic tour packages are the easiest and most efficient way to explore new places. Sit back, relax and leave all the details to us, and save with fantastic package prices! We arrange your flights, transfers and other transportation by comfortable air-conditioned motor coaches and/or ferries. Relax in well-rated hotels, located near tourist sites as well as shopping, restaurants and other attractions. Enjoy a carefully structured touring program to top attractions, plus free time for independent exploration, or choose optional excursions to fill in the leisure time. You'll have an English-speaking guide and/or tour manager for some or all of your journey. And throughout your tour, you'll always have a local contact for any questions, problems or suggestions. Best of all, you'll enjoy traveling with a small, intimate group of like-minded travelers whom you'll quickly consider friends.

Italian Lessons - Tuition Fees

Tuition Fees

Our Prices.
All prices below are for private Italian tuition and include travel costs and basic materials. Your tutor will be able to recommend a textbook for you to purchase if necessary.

We can cater for larger groups and for any length of lesson so if you need something that you can't see below then please get in touch. 

1. Italian Language Classes & Italian Conversation Classes,
​at your home, office or teacher home.

Italian Lessons at your home, office or teacher home.
Standard Lesson Length: 1.5 hours.

One-to-One Italian Language Classes:
Italian Language Classes are most effective with 1-to-1 tutoring. While it costs twice as much as the small group rate, the speed of learning can be twice as fast. For students who are advancing beyond the basics, this is the best approach. Students have different strengths and areas for improvement, different interests and learning styles. 1-to-1 is the best approach, including a flexible schedule.

LESSONS. One-to-one tuition at your home or office:
USD 19.00 per 1.5 hours lesson.
USD 22.00 per 2.0 hours lesson.

LESSONS. Two-to-one tuition at your home or office:
USD 28.00 per 1.5 hours lesson.
USD 31.00 per 2.0 hours lesson.

CONVERSATION. One-to-one tuition at your home or office:
USD 14.00 per 1.5 hours lesson.
USD 17.00 per 2.0 hours lesson.

CONVERSATION. Two-to-one tuition at your home or office:
USD 23.00 per 1.5 hours lesson.
USD 26.00 per 2.0 hours lesson.

Small Group Italian Language Classes:
Our Small Group language classes are much more effective than larger classes of 10 students or more, common at other Italian Language schools. Great for families or friends who want to study together. If the students create their own group, they can choose study dates/times convenient to them.

LESSONS. Groups for 1.5 hours at your home or office:
Group of 3: USD 36.00
Group of 4: USD 43.00
Group of 5: USD 49.00 

LESSONS. Groups for 2.0 hours at your home or office:
Group of 3: USD 39.00
Group of 4: USD 46.00
Group of 5: USD 52.00 

CONVERSATION. Groups for 1.5 hours at your home or office:
Group of 3: USD 31.00
Group of 4: USD 38.00
Group of 5: USD 44.00

CONVERSATION. Groups for 2.0 hours at your home or office:
Group of 3: USD 34.00
Group of 4: USD 41.00
Group of 5: USD 47.00 

For our long term courses we have 5% discount available.
Your first assessment class of 30 minutes is FREE.
Classes are paid for in advance, but you can change your hours with your personal teacher to suit your lifestyle.
You will never lose your lesson hours by changing the class day or time, but please tell your teacher in advance.

Payment for classes is in USD Currency.
Payment for classes is made by PayPal, Western Union, Bank Transfer System.
Please, contact our consultants for payment, they will help you to choose the most suitable way of payment.

2. Online Italian Language Classes & Italian Conversation Classes.

Online Language Courses (Skype).
Standard Lesson Length: 60 minutes.

One-to-One Italian Language Classes:
Italian Language Classes are most effective with 1-to-1 tutoring. While it costs twice as much as the small group rate, the speed of learning can be twice as fast. For students who are advancing beyond the basics, this is the best approach. Students have different strengths and areas for improvement, different interests and learning styles. 1-to-1 is the best approach, including a flexible schedule.

LESSONS. One-to-one tuition online via Skype:
USD 13.00 per 60 minutes lesson.
USD 16.00 per 1.5 hours lesson.

LESSONS. Two-to-one tuition online via Skype:
USD 20.00 per 60 minutes lesson.
USD 23.00 per 1.5 hours lesson.

CONVERSATION. One-to-one tuition online via Skype:
USD 10.00 per 60 minutes lesson.
USD 12.00 per 1.5 hours lesson.

CONVERSATION. Two-to-one tuition online via Skype:
USD 17.00 per 60 minutes lesson.
USD 19.00 per 1.5 hours lesson.

Small Group Italian Language Classes:
Our Small Group language classes are much more effective than larger classes of 10 students or more, common at other Italian Language schools. Great for families or friends who want to study together. If the students create their own group, they can choose study dates/times convenient to them.

LESSONS. Groups for 60 minutes, online via Skype:
Group of 3: USD 26.00
Group of 4: USD 31.00
Group of 5: USD 35.00

LESSONS. Groups for 1.5 hours, online via Skype:
Group of 3: USD 29.00
Group of 4: USD 34.00
Group of 5: USD 38.00 

CONVERSATION. Groups for 60 minutes, online via Skype:
Group of 3: USD 23.00
Group of 4: USD 28.00
Group of 5: USD 32.00

CONVERSATION. Groups for 1.5 hours, online via Skype:
Group of 3: USD 25.00
Group of 4: USD 30.00
Group of 5: USD 34.00

For our long term courses we have 5% discount available.
Your first assessment class of 30 minutes is FREE.
Classes are paid for in advance, but you can change your hours with your personal teacher to suit your lifestyle.
You will never lose your online hours by changing the class day or time, but please tell your teacher in advance.

Payment for classes is in USD Currency.
Payment for classes is made by PayPal, Western Union, Bank Transfer System.
Please, contact our consultants for payment, they will help you to choose the most suitable way of payment.

Phone Interpreter

On-Demand Telephone Interpreting

We will help you with almost any issue related to Italy for $10.00

Telephone Interpreting, connect your company to the world.

We can call anyone within Italy. We can write something. We can do some research. We can do many things in order to help you with Italy and the Italian language. Just name it and we will help you.

Need to speak to an Italian customer/supplier who doesn't speak English? Stop worrying about that, We can help you!

Price refers to a 15-minute call and/or business email.
Clients will use their own telephone to make calls.
For special requests please contact us first.

We value your trust. We are committed to creating long-term relationships with our clients, and ensuring your security and privacy is our top priority. For your protection, every phone interpreter is bound by strict confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, and an enforced Code of Ethics.

We’ve got you covered no matter what industry you’re in. Leveraging technological innovation and the highest caliber telephone interpreters, Parliamo Italiano works with a diverse range of industries, including:
  • Medical & Healthcare
  • Financial & Banking
  • Insurance
  • Call Centers
  • Retail & Customer Service
  • Travel, Tourism & Hospitality
  • Telecommunications & Utilities
  • Educational Institutions
  • Government Agencies
  • Courts & Legal Systems
Increase your Business with our Telephone Interpreting Service.
Instant access to phone interpreters for your Italian speaking customers is imperative in today’s global economy. Parliamo Italiano makes this easy and cost-effective, allowing you to efficiently conduct business—in Italy.

We can help no matter how big or small your company is. We are committed to transparency with no hidden fees or minimums.

To learn more or get started, give us a call today.


Italian Conversation Group

The Italian Conversation Group, McAllen (Texas)

​Benvenuti Italian Language Lovers!!!

Benvenuti al gruppo meetup italiano!
Se cercate altri che parlano Italiano, avete interesse nella lingua, cultura e tutto quello che e' inerente all'Italia, non avete piu' bisogno di cercare (altrove) - inscrivetevi al nostro gruppo. Non vediamo l'ora di incontrarvi.

Welcome to the Italian meetup group!
If you are looking for others who speak Italian, interested in the language, culture and all things Italian, you don't need to look any further - join our group. We look forward to meeting you.

​"Parliamo Italiano!" The Italian Conversation Group.

Interested in maintaining your Italian?
Consider: "
The Italian Language Conversation Group".

Our Italian Conversation Group was created for the purpose of maintaining, promoting and increasing the Italian Culture. Our events thrive on the spontaneity, generosity and enthusiasm of our members.

Most group members live in McAllen or bordering towns. Meeting attendees have various levels of proficiency; some are quite fluent, while others mostly listen. However, no English or Spanish is spoken, and no lessons are given. There are no assigned books or topics of conversation.

Nato come estemporaneo gruppo di conversazione italiana, The Italian Conversation Group è divenuto un punto di riferimento sociale e culturale sia per gli italiani residenti nell’area metropolitana di McAllen che per americani o stranieri che nutrono un serio interesse per la cultura e per la lingua italiana.
Il nostro principale obiettivo è quello di promuovere la cultura e l'uso della lingua italiana, attraverso la conversazione informale, senza quindi l'impegno di abbonamenti, iscrizioni e frequenza di regolari corsi di lingua.
The Italian Conversation Group garantisce un dialogo tra italiani e persone residenti in queste aree geografiche, offrendo un luogo che si presta allo scambio di reciproche esperienze e di preziose informazioni socio-culturali riguardanti sia l'Italia che gli Stati Uniti. Esso è pertanto utilissimo sia ai neo-arrivati, che a coloro i quali intendono mantenere vivo il loro interesse o ottenere informazioni su attualità, attività culturali e viaggi.
I nostri incontri consentono ai nostri membri di conversare in un'atmosfera tranquilla, rilassata e familiare. Le nostre non sono feste, ma festive riunioni. Alle riunioni si incontra nuova gente, si chiacchiera del più e del meno o, se lo si desidera, di cose serie; si prendono contatti, si fanno nuove amicizie, ci si informa su novità, leggi, servizi, percorsi turistici alternativi, ricette, pubblicazioni, mostre d’arte e attività culturali sia italiane che locali, il tutto assaggiando prodotti e vini italiani e verificando le ottime abilità culinarie di alcuni dei nostri partecipanti.
L’atmosfera è rilassata e conviviale. Il nostro gruppo e' frequentato in egual misura da italiani, americani e stranieri provenienti da ogni parte del mondo. Il livello di conversazione non è prestabilito e dipende interamente dall'abilità e dall'esperienza dei partecipanti. Ai nostri incontri la conversazione italiana è d'obbligo. Registratevi al nostro sito. L'operazione é gratuita, e i vostri dati personali non saranno mai resi accessibili ad alcuna entità privata, commerciale o pubblica.
Grazie per esservi uniti a noi in questa eccitante avventura.
Speriamo d'incontrarvi alla prossima riunione!

The Italian Conversation Group began when several friends got together to practice speaking Italian. The group remained fairly small for about a year – in fact, one time only a single person showed up. The gatherings took place in restaurants but when the group grew, it became impossible to manage the meetings and keep our 'ragione d'essere'– converse in Italian – alive. After trying a few more cafés and restaurants, it was decided to attempt a more cordial atmosphere by meeting in private homes.
Accessibility to our meetings is defined by one simple rule: as long as the participant makes a sincere effort to speak Italian, s/he is always welcome to join in. In fact, at the meetings we do not speak English, Spanish or other languages. Thus, while we remain open to new members, it is in our sole interest that The Italian Conversation Group does not slip into the format of a generic party. We therefore discourage our members from inviting friends who do not speak Italian.
The only reason we feel compelled to formulate these thoughts in English or Spanish is to include in this discourse those individuals whose language skills have not achieved full proficiency. It would be unfair, assuming that everyone approaching our group is capable to discern advanced Italian.
We nevertheless hold true our rule: at the meetings, Italian is required and expected.
At the meetings, 'italiano' is spoken at all levels. You will fit right in, whether you are capable to set off on a philosophical dissertation, or you need to learn how to order at the restaurant.
Members' skills vary from beginners to native speakers.
Accompanied by the fine food and wines our members bring, our meetings are the perfect environments for a non-Italian member who is interested in our culture and language to hear the native tongue here, at home.
Our members can meet a variety of people who have already developed an interest in our secular traditions and language, and expand their network and acquaintances.
Our meetings have become the checkpoint of all the Italians who arrive in Houston or McAllen and the polar information center of anyone who is planning for a trip to Italy. Europeans have fed their nostalgia of the old continent and retrieved those colorful habits and warm hospitality, which are the distinguished marks of the Italian culture.

So, next time you plan to make it to an event, pick-up some bread, grab some Italian cheese, or get some tiramisù, sherbet, Nutella or biscotti.
Wine consumption has never been a concern as it is done very moderately, convivial style.
If you have time, make something you like to cook.
Our events thrive on the spontaneity, generosity and enthusiasm of our members.
The Italian Conversation Group grows and prospers out of the continuing enthusiasm of our members and the generosity of those who host its meetings.

Our mission is to promote an appreciation of Italian language and culture through Italian language lessons, cooking lessons, film, art, music, literature, wine tastings, sports, travel and social engagement. We help people with a strong interest in Italy connect with one another, both online and in person.
We're the original Italian language meetup group in our area. Tutti possono aderire al nostro gruppo. Se ci aiuti a crescere... cresceremo insieme!
Want to find out more? Check our calendar to see the exact time and location of events and come join us. Read more about our activities.
* Quattro chiacchiere tra amici: These bi-weekly events offer the opportunity to practice your Italian with other very friendly and enthusiastic Italian language speakers in a highly informal and comfortable setting. Our group is at all levels of Italian proficiency from beginning to advanced and we all help each other. Parleremo di tutto e di niente, l'importante è stare in compagnia e farsi anche qualche risata.
* Cineforum italiano: Italian films are a wonderful way to share an Italian cultural experience.
* Let's Travel to Italy: Come experience Italy with our group and create memories that last a lifetime! Our group trips are limited to small groups of travelers.
* Tutti a tavola: We offer Italian cooking lessons where you can learn the art and traditions of Italian cooking while speaking Italian.
* L'aperitivo italiano: We enjoy Happy Hour events in Italian style. We often celebrate with our friends in the group. Cin-Cin!

And it doesn't stop there.
We're always looking for new opportunities to socialize while enjoying Italian language and culture.
We participate in guided museum tours, lectures, exhibits, street festivals, concerts, sporting events and cultural events at the Italian embassy and other locations. All the events are selected with the Italian and italophile in mind.
You'll see the exact time and location for events once you join our group.

If you are interested to join this group, please contact: 
Parliamo Italiano! for further information. 

​Our Events.

​The Italian Language Conversation Group consists of a diverse and friendly group of people who come together to converse in the Italian language.
Speaking entirely in Italian is very much encouraged. Most of the people speak at an intermediate or an advanced level. However, there are some native speakers as well as a few beginner.

The format for the meetings is open, which means you are free to roam around and speak to whomever you wish about any topic you wish. The more members that you interact with the more you will get to practice speaking in Italian. Some members are more comfortable listening to conversations, while others are more interested in actively participating in a conversation. Please do what makes you feel comfortable.

​Siete Tutti Invitati!

Lets Speak Italian! Parliamo Italiano! 
Meet Italian language and culture lovers in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.
Come make new "amici", learn and practice the language, be exposed to a different culture, tradition, and cuisine. We look forward to building a solid group that will lead us to nice friendships, theme parties, local outings, cultural trips and most of all lots of listen and talk Italian. All ages and levels welcome! If you are a beginner remember you learn a lot just by listening!

Benvenuti! Qui potrete incontrare amanti della cultura e della lingua Italiana in una atmosfera divertente e rilassante. Unitevi a noi per fare nuovi amici, imparare, o far pratica della lingua Italiana rendendovi così disponibili ad una cultura, a tradizioni ed anche perchè no, ad una cucina diversa! Siamo interessati a creare un gruppo che promuova nuove amicizie, feste a tema, gite, e viaggi culturali, ma più che altro ad imparare, ascoltare e parlare Italiano. Il Meetup Italiano non ha restrizioni di età, e tutti i livelli di comprensione sono benvenuti. Se siete principianti, all'inizio potete imparare moltissimo anche solo ascoltando.

Be a Host
If you're interested in hosting your own event, feel free to contact me or post a suggestion in the group. I'd love to have new event organizers. Please keep in mind that suggested events must be somewhat Italian related, and I reserve the right to remove events that are not.


Italian Conversation

We will talk with you in Italian for $10.00

Do you want to practice your Italian conversation? Or just simply want to have a conversation?

We can casually speak with you in Italian to help you gain confidence in speech and pronunciation.

If you would like to have a general chat, about everyday topics. We are more than happy to do so. We can talk about life, hobbies, food and culture, travelling, the world, politics, the environment, friendships and relationships, spirituality and life theories etc...

We can even offer you some intuitive friendly advice if you just want someone to talk to.

We love to meet new people and make new friends, learn about different cultures and lifestyles... and we love to chat!

We will speak with you in Italian for 60 minutes on Skype..... for $10.00

Please feel free to message us before ordering the service.

Italian Language Conversation - Online and Face-to-Face.

Private one-on-one Italian Tutoring.

Our Conversation Online will help you:
» Increase your Italian speaking and listening skills
» Improve your Italian pronunciation
» Enhance your career opportunities
» Gain more confidence when speaking in Italian

Studies show that private mentoring and classes can increase your learning skills by up to 75%!

In addition by taking Italian classes online, you can learn in the location where you are most comfortable.

Italian Conversation Online.

Our mission is to help people and students improve their language conversation skills through our unique schedule-friendly system. You will quickly learn Italian through customized one-on-one lessons, and live conversations.

Our teachers are all qualified and experienced language teachers and mentors whose first language is Italian.
They all have extensive experience teaching Italian as a second language in their country and around the world. 

Our online Italian conversation challenge students in a safe and positive environment. Our lesson plans are designed to be fun, challenging, and informative. One of the biggest benefits of learning a foreign language online is that you can speak with your instructor from the comfort of your own home or office in real time.

So get started!!!

Who is it for?

For anyone who has a level of fluency in Italian (intermediate or advanced) who wishes to practice their verbal expression, improve their comprehension skills in a structured class. You will be gently corrected while speaking in order to gain better oral fluency. Every online session lasts 60 minutes.

How Does It Work?
After evaluating your current level of Italian and your objectives with an adviser, a teacher will arrange with you a 30-minutes Language Session at a day and time most convenient for you.

The session will take place via Internet with Skype

Conversation Topics.

Conversation Topics
In order to improve your language skills, your conversation with your teacher should be as diverse as possible. This way you can acquire a broad vocabulary and learn all the different sentence structures in a language. Below you can find some suggestions for conversation topics that would guide you to achieve this.

Comparing
An interesting aspect of getting to know somebody from another country, it's to learn about their culture. One way to do this is to compare the differences between the two countries, such as pace of life, type of jobs, quality of life, cuisine, drinking habits, how people spend their spare time, ethnic makeup, social structure, climate, topography, educational system, ....

Traveling
Keen language learners are often also keen travelers. Ask your teachers if they like traveling, what are the most interesting places they have been to, what they think are the best holiday destinations, what are their country's most popular tourist attractions, if they prefer traveling on their own or taking a package tour, what they miss most when they are away from home, if they are planning to travel shortly. Ask them if they have ever met anyone interesting while on a journey or if they have ever come across any unusual food or drink.

Hypothetical Situations
One way to practice grammar is to talk about hypothetical situations. While this is not a topic in itself, you can always ask hypothetical questions in most topics of conversation. Not only would this spice up your conversation, but it would also be a good way to practice some difficult verb tenses. Take, for example, the topics above. If you and your teacher are talking about your jobs, you can ask: "If you had the choice of doing any job, what would it be?" If you are talking about your language partner country's economical and political problems, you can ask: "If you were the president, what would you do first?" If the topic of conversation is travelling, you can ask: "If you had to choose a country to live in for the rest of your life, which one would you choose?" The possibilities are limited only by your imagination!

Music
This is without a doubt a much loved topic and you should make the most of it. Ask your conversation partner what their favorite group / singer / radio station / type of music are. Ask them when and how often they listen to music, if they often go to live concerts, if certain music brings memories to their mind, if there is any kind of music they can't stand, if they play any musical instruments, if they can sing, if they have ever sung karaoke, if they know the lyrics of a song in their practicing language. If you are talking to a foreigner you can ask who the most popular singers in their country are and if they can now listen to them on the radio.

Expressing your opinion
One way to get a good command of a language is being able to express your opinion about any topic. As with hypothetical questions, expressing your opinion will enrich and enliven the conversation, however do not be a know-it-all, but respect the opinion of your conversation partner and try to keep an open mind if you disagree with them. You can ask an opinion on nearly everything. Take, for example, music. You can ask your conversation partner how their opinion of good music has changed over their lifetime, if they consider CDs to be expensive or what they think about downloading free MP3s from the internet. Be extra careful when talking about religion and politics, as people tend to get quite passionate about them.

Have you ever ...?
Another way to start an interesting topic, is to ask the "Have you ever ...?" question. Here are some examples:
* Have you ever been on TV?
* Have you ever sung in public?
* Have you ever dyed your hair blond?
* Have you ever eaten frogs' legs?
* Have you ever received a present that you really hated?
* Have you ever walked into a lamppost?
* Have you ever cooked a meal by yourself for more than 15 people?
* Have you ever fallen or stumbled in front of others?
* Have you done volunteer work?
* Have you ever free-climbed a tree?
* Have you ever had a close relative who lived to over 100?
* Have you ever ridden a horse?
* Have you ever tried any extreme sports?
* Have you ever seen a car accident?
* Have you ever been mugged?
* Have you ever driven a sports car?
* Have you ever broken a bone?
* Have you ever cheated on an exam?
* Have you ever fallen in love at first sight?
* Have you ever met a celebrity?
* Have you ever slept in a tent?

Other topics
Ordering food, describing a person, shopping, clothes and fashion, money, celebrities, gossip, food & eating, meeting people, sports, marriage, children, education, books, computers, science and technology, annoying things.

Italian Language Classes Online

Italian Language Classes Online

​Learn Italian Easily!

​Language schools have a wide range of Italian courses and programs; unfortunately, there are many people, who cannot travel to an Italian-speaking country in order to improve their Italian language skills. However, internet has solved this problem, because there is a large list of Italian language schools that offer Italian courses online and more and more students decide to follow them; these courses have several resources to make one’s learning experience the best.

Distance learning has become very popular among students; these courses include language programs such as Italian, Spanish, English, French and many other courses. If one chooses an Italian online course, one will have the control under one’s learning pace. These courses allow students to learn Italian language at any time and wherever they are, while they have an internet connection.

Many students prefer Italian courses online, because they can learn Italian language while they’re working or studying. Online courses allow people to continue with their normal activities. Learning Italian by internet is very fun.

Italian courses online, as one sees, are the perfect solution for all language students who cannot visit Italy or another Italian-speaking country. These courses will help one to learn Italian in a fun way and ones’ own pace.
Now, you are ready to start learning Italian by Internet.

​Reasons to study Italian Online.

​If you want to study Italian language, you can choose between traditional courses and courses online. In this page we will show some of the best reasons to choose a course online.
* A course online is cheaper than a traditional course.
* There are many jobs and careers that demand a good working knowledge of the Internet, so if you complete a course online, you will have more opportunities to fill  it.
* All that is necessary is proper access to a standard personal computer with internet connectivity.
* Online classes, by contrast, can be engineered to support students with intellectual and physical disabilities.
* If you do not understand some topic, you can repeat this topic again and again.
* Classes can be taken whenever you have time.
* The Internet makes it possible the communication between students and teachers without long commutes.

Difference between Italian Online and Italian Abroad?
Both methods provide you flexibility for where and when you study. However, studying online is totally interactive with immediate correction of the exercises. Studying online offers you additional opportunities for interaction with email, discussion boards and chat rooms. enabling you to communicate with your personal tutor and there by exchanging the learning experience.

Advantages of studying foreign languages by Skype.

Individual approach
Parliamo Italiano will help to find the best suitable tutor for your needs. So you can study a language in an informal and easy atmosphere. There is no doubt if you are just a beginner you will require a private tutor which speaks your language.

Free schedule
Learning foreign languages by Skype at Parliamo Italiano, you have a possibility to order the lessons at any convenient time for you. Simply speaking you have flexible hours for learning. You can order regular lessons and pay for them or learn with different frequency. By the way, you will pay only for the lessons. You have already got! After the free lesson you can order any number of lessons, beginning with one.

Professional personal tutors
We guarantee that all our teachers at Parliamo Italiano have the highest pedagogical education! The learning of language is based on informal speech. This way of learning contributes quickly to cultural exchange between you and your private tutor and provides you with native speaker experience. It enables you to study quickly and achieve better results. We have free trial lesson available, and you can sign up for it by filling the form on our website. 

​Italian Classes Online.

​Learn Italian online! You can have your lesson online with a teacher via Skype. With your Italian mother tongue teacher you can study, learn and improve your level of Italian.
You just need a Skype account, book your lesson, make the payment and connect with your teacher at the scheduled time and .....have a good lesson!

To make a free trial lesson or to ask for further information write to: rgvitaliangroup@gmail.com 

Your Class!
Here’s how you can start studying Italian online with Parliamo Italiano:
Enroll 
Book a lesson 
Make a payment

You will receive a confirmation e-mail.
3 minutes before your lesson is scheduled to begin, click on your teacher’s Skype button.
During your lesson, you can speak, write, read and work on assignments with your teacher.
At the end of your lesson, your teacher will assign you homework that you will go over together at your next lesson.
Afterwards, you can always e-mail to your teacher to ask questions or get more information.
Start now to speak or improve your Italian!
To make a free trial lesson or to ask for further information write to: Parliamo Italiano!

Your lesson will be just like as if you were in a classroom but from the comfort of your home and online! You can see and talk to your teacher in real time using a microphone and webcam. The lesson is one part grammar, one part conversation and your teacher will give you assignments that you can go over together.
With our lessons, you will learn to understand, speak, write and read in Italian. You will also learn typical expressions and become familiar with different regional accents.

You can also use the materials available on our site to improve your level and increase your vocabulary. For example, choose from our selection of videos on Italian culture (politics, history, society, current events, cuisine, music, cinema, etc).

Use the calendar to select the date and time of your next lesson. Learn where you want and when you want with a teacher who will help you along the way and monitor your progress.

Italian Language Lessons

Italian Language Classes.

Professional, effective and friendly private and corporate language tuition.

Parliamo Italiano is a tuition company and arranges Italian lessons in McAllen (Texas) and surrounding areas, for corporate and private individuals on a one-to-one basis or in small groups. 

Parliamo Italiano also offers its clients online language courses by Skype, which provide the following advantages: flexible timetables, accessible from any location, practical use of an essential professional communication tool.

Our Italian tutors teach at some of the world's largest companies as well as in hundreds of homes across McAllen to students learning Italian for pleasure or looking to gain a qualification.

Our team of professional Italian tutors are all native and qualified and will get you speaking Italian quickly and in a friendly environment.

Our Italian Lessons.
We arrange Italian lessons in McAllen to all types of students from small children to large corporations. Our qualified Italian tutors can teach you at your home, office or other suitable location wherever you are in McAllen or surrounding area and possibly further afield.

Private Italian tuition can be arranged for students learning on their own or for groups of colleagues or friends. Students can do as many lessons as needed per week and tuition can take place from early morning to the evening.

Our tutors use a variety of materials depending on students' levels and also why they want to learn Italian.

Browse through some of the options for Italian lessons below to see which one would best suit you.

One-to-One Italian Lessons.
One-to-one tuition is the quickest and most flexible way to learn a language.

When you embark on a course of one-to-one Italian lessons your tutor can tailor the tuition to meet your needs, whether you are learning Italian for business, leisure or academic reasons.

One-to-one lessons offer the student the maximum amount of flexibility and choice. We'll discuss with you your aims and reasons for wanting to learn Italian. We can then arrange for a qualified tutor to teach you at your home or office at a time of your choosing.

Tutors are available throughout the day, during the evening and also at weekends.

The standard lesson length is 1.5 hours although longer lessons can be arranged. We understand that due to time constraints a shorter lesson may be required so students are also able to have 1.0 hour sessions.

Depending how quickly you want to learn the language, students can take as many lessons per week as required and we can also arrange for intensive tuition.

Two-to-One Italian Lessons.
Similar to one-to-one lessons, but you learn Italian with a friend or partner, with the bonus that it will work out cheaper than learning on your own!

It is a great way to learn as you'll be able to practice your Italian together and encourage each other to do your homework!

Whether you are learning Italian for business, leisure or academic reasons, your tutor can tailor your lessons to meet your needs.

We'll discuss with you your aims and reasons for wanting to learn Italian. We can then arrange for a qualified tutor to teach you at your home or office at a time of your choosing.

Tutors are available throughout the day, during the evening and also at weekends.

The standard two-to-one Italian lesson is 1.5 hours but lessons of 2.0 hours or longer can be arranged.

Depending how quickly you want to learn the language, students can take as many lessons per week as required and we can also arrange for intensive tuition.

Italian Lessons with Friends or Colleagues.
Taking lessons with friends or colleagues is a fun and cost effective way to learn Italian.

Our Small Group language classes are much more effective than larger classes of 10 students or more, common at other Italian Language schools. Great for families or friends who want to study together. If the students create their own group, they can choose study dates/times convenient to them.

Group lessons are perfect for families, friends or work colleagues who are looking to learn Italian.

We'll discuss with you your aims and reasons for wanting to learn Italian. We can then arrange for a qualified tutor to teach your group at a time of your choosing.

Tutors are available throughout the day, during the evening and also at weekends.

The standard group Italian lesson is 1.5 hours but lessons of longer duration can be arranged.

So why not still take advantage of our cheap group rates by finding some friends or colleagues and starting your own group!

Intensive Italian Tuition.
Travelling to Italy in a few weeks for business or pleasure and need a crash course to get by?

Maybe your moving to Italy in a month or two and need to gain a level of proficiency in Italian. Or you might find yourself with some extra time on your hands and feel like putting it to use learning or advancing your language skills.

Whatever the reason we can arrange private tuition with a qualified native tutor at a time and frequency you want at your office or home. Intensive lessons could be classed as doing anything from one hour per day for a week, right up to studying several hours a day for a period of time.

Learning intensively immerses you in the language and students make rapid progress in a short space of time.

Prices depend on the intensity of tuition. Get in touch for more details.

Italian Classes for Children.
Our tutors teach Italian to children of all ages throughout McAllen.

Children learn new languages quickly and getting them started early is one of the best gifts you'll ever give them.

We can arrange for one of our qualified Italian tutors to teach your children at your home either individually or in a group with friends which makes the lesson even more fun and interactive.

Our qualified Italian tutors will use a range of materials including games and music to make the learning experience as enjoyable as possible.

Italian in schools -- why not speak to your child's school regarding setting up a Italian after-school club for children. We can arrange for one of our tutors to teach the group at a very reasonable cost.

Corporate Classes.

Italian Business Language Training.

We can arrange bespoke Italian tuition designed to target the specific needs of your business. A tailored approach means your tutor will work closely with you and your company and implement a course to meet your requirements.

Before embarking on tuition your language background will be assessed and specific goals which need to be achieved will be detailed. We'll then draw up an action plan and advise on the intensity and duration of lessons.

Our trainers are the key to our success and ensure that students get the most from their learning experience. All are native and qualified and have significant experience teaching all levels of Italian. Tutors are not just selected for their teaching skills but also for their professionalism, flexibility and efficiency.

Tutors will be as flexible as possible to work around your schedule. Training can be arranged from early morning through to the evening and tutors will do our best to accommodate changing schedules from week-to-week.

Conducting business overseas is not just about speaking the language but also knowing what is expected and what to expect. Cultural awareness is as vital in the business world as knowing the language and our tutors are well placed to guide you through the cultural maze.

Our Philosophy. 

Communication for the real world: From the very first day, our aim is for students to start expressing themselves in modern useful Italian. The focus is on providing students with the tools to enable them to communicate effectively in practical, everyday situations, with tasks and activities carried out within a meaningful context. The four key skills; listening, speaking, reading and writing are all catered for, although emphasis for most students is placed on speaking and listening.

Learner centred: A learner centred approach means tutors adapt lessons to your way of learning making the whole experience more personal, rewarding and efficient. We rely on our team of qualified and experienced native tutors to support you throughout your period of tuition and help you to reach your full potential.

Practise makes perfect: Time with the tutor is used to the maximum benefit and focuses on practising oral and listening skills and introducing new structures. Written work is generally carried out at home and will help consolidate what's been covered in the session with the tutor.

Our most important asset -- our tutors: We pride ourselves in collaborating with capable and professional tutors. We all have the means to learn a language, we just have to find the best way to learn. Your tutor will get you speaking Italian from the very first day and tailor tuition to meet your needs.

Flexibility: Before allocating your tutor, we'll first assess your needs and what you want to achieve and discuss the best way to go about it. Throughout the course students are free to suggest new methods more appropriate for their needs or likes. Our tutors are all encouraged to be flexible, open-minded and see students as individuals.

The material used in the lessons will be, when possible, from real sources, such as newspapers, magazines or the Internet. This is especially vital in conversation classes.

When learning or improving a language it is important to be aware of a little history, culture and current affairs of the country where it is spoken. Students will be able to suggest any subject of discussion, books, films, etc. that might be of interest. All new ideas are welcome.

So if the Not-Just-One-Method method appeals then Parliamo Italiano was made for you.    

Parliamo Italiano!

Parliamo Italiano!

Italiano per tutti! Impariamo di più sull’Italia: la sua lingua, la sua cultura, la sua cucina…

Benvenuti!

Parliamo Italiano introduces, enhances and incorporates the beauty, history and charm of Italian culture into your community. Parliamo Italiano is a gathering place that educates, serves and inspires individuals who are seeking to enjoy or learn more about the culture and heritage of Italian people.

Welcome to Parliamo Italiano! This web site is your internet door to what our company is offering you as it creates a new cultural environment in our community.

Parliamo Italiano arranges Italian lessons in McAllen (Texas) for corporate and private individuals on a one-to-one basis or in small groups.

Our Italian tutors teach at some of the world's largest companies as well as in hundreds of homes across McAllen to students learning Italian for pleasure or looking to gain a qualification.

Our team of professional Italian tutors are all native and qualified and will get you speaking Italian quickly and in a friendly environment.

Parliamo Italiano offers events and activities that are important to McAllen diverse population. It is a gathering place and learning space where programs, services, events and activities focus on the positive spirit of Italian Culture. The hope and vision of Parliamo Italiano is to provide and preserve Italian culture and heritage not only for today, but for generations to come.

Whether you are of Italian ancestry yourself or are a "citizen of the world" interested in learning more about this dynamic country and its people, Parliamo Italiano has something to offer you. 


Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Church Without Clergy

Church Without Clergy

But could it be that clergy are neither necessary nor, in the long run, good for church? Is it possible that one of the best things that could happen to the church today is for all clergy to resign their posts and take jobs in the world? Might it be that church without clergy could be the best kind of church?
The clergy is a highly overrated institution. Indeed, reports on the value and necessity of clergy have been greatly exaggerated. Many Christians assume, for example, that the most important thing in choosing a church is its minister, that a church cannot function effectively without a priest or pastor, that the first thing one must do in starting a church is to hire a minister to lead it, that Sunday morning should be judged by its sermon, and that the preeminent way to serve God is to go to seminary to be trained for Christian service.

But could it be that, on the contrary, clergy are neither necessary nor, in the long run, good for church? Is it possible that one of the best things that could happen to the church today is for all clergy to resign their posts and take jobs in the world? Might it be that church without clergy could be the best kind of church?

Certainly, for many we may as well ask whether we should shoot ourselves in the head. But upon closer inspection this perspective is not as lunatic as it first seems. The fact is, although our clergy-system is one of the dominant features of the church today, it has almost nothing to do with the New Testament, is fundamentally counter-productive, and is an inherent obstruction to healthy, biblical church life.

PLEASE NOTICE, FIRST of all, that when we talk about clergy we are most definitely not talking about the actual people who are clergy. The specific men and women who are priests, ministers, and pastors are, on the whole, wonderful people. They love God, want to serve God, and want to serve the people of God. They typically are sincere, compassionate, intelligent, self-giving, and long-suffering. Let it be clear, then, that the problem with clergy is not the people who are clergy but the profession that those people are a part of.

Furthermore, let it be clear that, despite serious problems of their profession, clergy do actually accomplish much good in the church. It's not that clergy don't help people significantly. They most certainly do-which is one reason why they are such a dominant feature of church life. But the good the people of the clergy are able to accomplish is despite their profession rather than because of it.

Without a doubt, the clergy is a profession and members of the clergy are professionals. Just as lawyers protect and interpret the law and doctors protect and administrate medicine, clergy protect, interpret, and administrate the truth of God. This profession, like any profession, dictates standards of conduct for how its members should dress, speak, and act, both on-duty and off-duty. And, like other professions, it dictates standards of education, preparation, admittance to the profession, procedures for job searches and applications, and retirement. Clearly, Catholic priests and Protestant ministers alike are expected-by their parishioners, friends, hierarchies, denominational authorities, and themselves-to have a distinct kind of training, be certain kinds of people, and perform certain kinds of duties.

Traditionally, the profession has demanded that clergy be male and, in some denominations, preferably married and, if so, happily married. The profession demands that its members possess a seminary degree and official ordination. The profession (unrealistically) requires that clergy be extraordinarily gifted: natural leaders, skilled orators, capable administrators, compassionate counselors, wise decision-makers, dispassionate conflict-resolvers, and astute theologians. Naturally, professional standards insist that clergy be morally upright and exemplary in every way. And, as an outward sign, clergy must dress respectably and speak with authority and conviction.

Clergy function essentially as professional church managers. Clergy are responsible for preparing teachings, homilies, and sermons, visiting the sick, conducting funerals and marriages, properly administering the sacraments, overseeing church social events, Sunday School, and catechism programs, preparing engaged couples for marriage, counseling those with problems, preparing denominational reports, attending denominational meetings, managing missionary and evangelistic programs, assembling and overseeing staff (such as assistant ministers, youth group leaders, administrative staffs, and evangelism teams), organizing fund-raising drives, attending to community relations, facilities use, and building maintenance, encouraging, disciplining, and edifying parishioners, and establishing the vision and direction of the church.

There exists, then, a definite set of tasks which everyone (even the non-Christian) knows is the rightful duty of a member of the clergy. Everyone knows it because it is an institutionalized profession, created and maintained by denominations, hierarchies, theological seminaries, the laity, and, finally, the clergy themselves.

The First Problem

THE FIRST PROBLEM with the clergy is that God doesn't intend such a profession to exist. There is simply and unequivocally no biblical mandate or justification for the profession of clergy as we know it. In fact, the New Testament points to a very different way of doing church and pastoral ministry.

Nevertheless, human societies throughout history have consistently created spiritual castes of people-shamans, priests, soothsayers, witch-doctors, wise-men, prophets, gurus-and the Christian church has been no exception. It didn't take long for the church to construct, based on a handful of ambiguous scripture verses ("upon this rock I will build my church," "you shall not muzzle an ox while it is threshing"), a massive, institutional, hierarchical superstructure. This, in effect, created a two-class, authoritarian system within the church in which clergy were considered more spiritual than laity.

Protestants broke with the Catholic church, of course. But Protestants are just as "catholic" as Roman Catholics when it comes to clergy. Though the Bible replaced the Sacraments as the center of God's revelation for Protestants, the profession they set up to protect and distribute this revelation is functionally identical to the Catholic priesthood. As the priest correctly administers the wafer, the minister correctly interprets the Word of God.

But when we go back to the Word of God and read it afresh, we see that the clergy profession is the result of our human culture and history and not of God's will for the church. It is simply impossible to construct a defensible biblical justification for the institution of clergy as we know it.

The Second Problem

THE SECOND PROBLEM with the clergy profession is that it crushes "body life." We can see in the New Testament that God doesn't intend church to be a formal association to which a rank-and-file membership belongs by virtue of paying dues and attending meetings, an association which is organized, guided, and governed by a professional leader (and, in larger organizations, by an administrative bureaucracy). Yet that is exactly what most churches are.

By contrast, God intends church to be a community of believers in which each member contributes their special gift, talent, or ability to the whole, so that, through the active participation and contribution of all, the needs of the community are met. In other words, what we ought to see in our churches is "the ministry of the people," not "the ministry of the professional." In this way, the church is to act like a body, with each unique, necessary part working for the good of the whole body. And, Paul argues clearly that each member's gift is indispensable, that the body needs each part to contribute or else it will be lame (1 Corinthians 12:20-25).

The problem is that, regardless of what our theologies tell us about the purpose of clergy, the actual effect of the clergy profession is to make the body of Christ lame. This happens not because clergy intend it (they usually intend the opposite) but because the objective nature of the profession inevitably turns the laity into passive receivers.

The role of clergy is essentially the centralization and professionalization of the gifts of the whole body into one person. In this way, the clergy represents Christianity's capitulation to modern society's tendency toward specialization; clergy are spiritual specialists, church specialists. Everyone else in the church are merely "ordinary" believers who hold "secular" jobs where they specialize in "non-spiritual" activities such as plumbing, teaching, or marketing. So, in effect, what ought to be accomplished in an ordinary, decentralized, non-professional manner by all church members together is instead accomplished by a single, full-time professional-The Pastor.

Since the pastor is paid to be the specialist in church operations and management, it is only logical and natural that the laity begin to assume a passive role in church. Rather than contributing their part to edify the church, they go to church as passive receivers to be edified. Rather than actively spending the time and energy to exercise their gift for the good of the body, they sit back and let the pastor run the show.

Think about Sunday morning. Parishioners arrive on schedule, sit quietly in pews, and watch and listen to the minister who is up-front, center-stage, whose presence dominates the service. They stand, sit, speak, and sing only when they are directed to by the minister or the program. Yet, in reality, what happens during these two hours on Sunday morning is only a micro-cosmic picture of the whole church reality.
If the people of a congregation began to get a vision that the church is not a formal association but a community, that gifts are distributed-apart from ordination-to each person, that everyone must actively participate and contribute for church to work, that no one's gift is more important than another's, and that everyone's participation will ensure a full, healthy church life-in short, a vision of a biblical view of church life-I suspect many would begin to ask themselves: "Then what are we paying our minister for?" And, that would be a reasonable question to ask.

Full-time, professional clergy are only needed when church members are not doing their part. On the other hand, when each church member is actively participating and contributing their part for the good of the body, a professional minister is unnecessary. That is a fact that is proven every day in tens of thousands of communities and home churches all around the world.

The Third Problem

THE THIRD PROBLEM with the clergy profession is that it is fundamentally self-defeating. Its stated purpose is to nurture spiritual maturity in the church-a valuable goal. In actuality, however, it accomplishes the opposite by nurturing a permanent dependence of the laity on the clergy. Clergy become to their congregations like parents whose children never grow up, like therapists whose clients never become healed, like teachers whose students never graduate. The existence of a full-time, professional minister makes it too easy for church members not to take responsibility for the on-going life of the church. And why should they? That's the job of the pastor (so the thinking goes). But the result is that the laity remain in a state of passive dependence.

Imagine, however, a church whose pastor resigned and that could not find a replacement. Ideally, eventually, the members of that church would have to get off of their pews, come together, and figure out who would teach, who would counsel, who would settle disputes, who would visit the sick, who would lead worship, and so on. With a bit of insight, they would realize that the Bible calls the body as a whole to do these things together, prompting each to consider what gift they have to contribute, what role they could play to build up the body. And with a bit of courage, that church might actually take the painful steps in the direction of long-term change. Some might leave for other churches that have full-time ministers. But those who remained to participate in the work of building body life would mature faster and further than they ever would have with a pastor to do it all for them.

The Fourth Problem

THE FOURTH PROBLEM with the clergy profession is what it does to the people in that profession. Being a member of the clergy as we know it is difficult. Doing it very well is almost impossible. Yet good-hearted men and women, convinced that they are serving God in this way, admirably pour their lives into this task. What they encounter as professional clergy, however, is stress, frustration, and burn-out.
It's no wonder, of course, since clergy are trying to do the work of a whole congregation all by themselves! How can a single person be a natural leader, a skilled orator, a visionary, a capable administrator, a compassionate counselor, a wise decision-maker, a dispassionate conflict-resolver, and an astute theologian all at once? Why do we make one person be all things to all parishioners?

Being a minister is, quite simply, unrealistic. It is as unrealistic as a corporation expecting a single employee to successfully fill or oversee all of the corporate roles, from mail-boy to secretary to middle-manager to president, while most of the other employees arrive at work one day a week to simply watch this super-human achievement (and sometimes do a chore they are asked by the super-employee to do). In this way, the clergy profession demands super-Christian, super-human accomplishment. Christians-with our realistic understanding of human limitations and weaknesses-should know better than that. God certainly did, which is why he gave the task of maintaining and building up the church as the shared responsibility of all believers, not the centralized, specialized, professionalized task of one person.

CLERGY ARE THE keepers-of-the-church; but the church really doesn't need to be kept in this way because God keeps it and asks all believers to participate in keeping it. The clergy, as a profession, are assigned to preserve, protect, and dispense Christian truth, correct teachings, the Bible, the sacraments, and authority. Yet the Christian truth does not need a professional class to protect it. Truth is not that fragile.

Christian truth is not some kind of classified or dangerous material which only card-carrying experts can handle. Nor is it like riches which need the protection of safe vaults and armed security guards. It is the Holy Spirit's and not the hierarchy or the denomination's job to preserve Christian truth in history; and the Holy Spirit has seen fit to do so by distributing it to all God's people so they can share it together.

The problem with clergy, we've seen, is not the actual people who are of the clergy-who are typically sincere and committed-but the social role of the profession to which they belong. Ministers often hope to re-shape that role in ways that are more realistic and biblical. But they eventually discover that, for the most part, they can't reshape the role at will because their congregations and denominations expect the standard things from them. Of course, that's the nature of social roles: they shape people more than people shape them.

A problem even more basic and serious than the clergy role, however, is that most Christians have completely redefined what a healthy church looks like in the first place. For most church-goers, a solid, healthy church is one which is growing numerically, has a fabulous pastor, and offers many activities and programs. That may be what a vibrant voluntary association-such as the YMCA-looks like. But if the Bible is our authority, those factors are irrelevant when it comes to church.

What's important in church, according to the Bible, is that each member actively contributes to the good of the whole body through responsible participation and the exercise of their gifts. What's important in church, according to the Bible, is that believers become strong and mature in their faith through the edification of one another. A biblical church is a "people's church" with a decentralized ministry.

Of course, when we speak of "church without clergy," we do not mean the elimination of full-time ministers. Indeed, the church needs more full-time ministers. The relevant question, however, is: what kinds of ministries ought these full-time people to be doing? According to the New Testament, full-time ministers ought to be ministering in and to the world, in such tasks as working with the poor, doing evangelism, and making peace where there is conflict and violence. Biblically speaking, it is the world, and not the church, which needs full-time Christian ministers.

WHAT WE NEED today is church without clergy. Pastors themselves need to be liberated from the demand to be ultra-versatile, multi-talented, super-human performers. And lay people need to be jarred from the pacifying illusion that it is enough to simply attend church on Sunday mornings and tithe ten percent of their income.

Church without clergy is not easy; it demands the full, active participation of everyone. But the rewards of church without clergy--the riches of participation, of solidarity, and of community--make the effort exceedingly worthwhile. And, those who make that effort will be well on their way to transforming church from something they simply go to, to something they, together, are.