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A huge step in the right direction. Should have done it 200 years before. Even then there was a huge shortage of "ordained ministers" to "preach" and to "administer the sacraments".

Other shrinking denominations need to lay aside all priestcraft and follow their example - without further delay.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) authorized commissioned lay leaders (originally called Commissioned Lay Preachers, later Commissioned Lay Pastors, and now Commissioned Ruling Elders) to administer the Lord's Supper starting in 1995, following a major upgrade approved by the General Assembly.

Evolution of the Role and Sacraments

• 1995 Action: The General Assembly approved expanding the functions of the role (then called Commissioned Lay Pastors) to allow them to preach and administer the Lord's Supper in specific, locally assigned congregations without a regular installed pastor.

• Later Expansions: Over subsequent years, the permissions for these commissioned elders evolved further to include additional pastoral duties such as baptizing, moderating church sessions, and performing marriages when authorized by their regional presbytery.

• Current Terminology: The PCUSA Book of Order formally uses the term Commissioned Ruling Elder (CRE) or Commissioned Pastor to designate ruling elders given this localized pastoral commission.

Source: AI Overview from Google.

NOW THOSE (the so-called laymen) WHO WERE SCATTERED WENT ABOUT PREACHING THE WORD. – ACTS 8:4