Reclaiming the Biblical Understanding

Transcription

1 All Christians as Ministers Reclaiming the Biblical Understanding Through baptism you are incorporated by the Holy Spirit into God s new creation and made to share in Christ s royal priesthood. We are all one in Christ Jesus. With joy and thanksgiving we welcome you as members of the family of Christ. As members together with you in the body of Christ and in this congregation. we renew our covenant faithfully to participate in the ministries of the church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness. 1

2 God never intended for church to be a spectator sport Priesthood is all about DOING something as well as BELIEVING something. - Marlene Wilson What does it mean for the laity the laos (the people of God) to be in ministry? The ministry of the laity flows from a commitment to Christ s outreaching love.every layperson is called to carry out the Great Commission; every layperon is called to be missional. 2

3 Para. 128: Ministry as Gift and Task Baptism is followed by the consequent awareness by the baptized of the claim to ministry in Christ placed upon their lives by the church. God gives every person unique gifts and graces that need to be shared. 3

4 People who are intentional about growing in their discipleship Our daily lives outside the church doors Sharing our faith Every disciple is called to be in ministry. Every ministry happens in relationship. Every ministry is important. 1. We are storytellers. 2. We are value bearers. 3. We are community builders. 4. We are spiritual journeyers. 4

5 Lay ministry is not easy. When God first called you to be a member of God s church? Too often we become the people gathered around a minister or tradition or building, waiting to receive divine service. We become consumers, not providers. 5

6 Ordained Clergy Church members as recipients Clergy Ordained Clergy Community Congregation Laity INSTITUTION Church as building or organization Clergy as set apart from laity PEOPLE OF GOD Church means Christians as people of God Christians are clergy and laity assembled together for one mission 6

7 INSTITUTION Laity expect religious care and are consumers of church services Church: clergycentered ministries to needy laity PEOPLE OF GOD All Christians are the signs and bearers of God s love Church: Christcentered people working for a needy world INSTITUTION Emphasis on educated clergy and professional ministry PEOPLE OF GOD Emphasis on faithful Christians and baptismal ministry Baptismal Living being and living in the world as the sacramental presence of Christ s body. 7

8 Congregations build on health. They know their history (but don t live there) and listen to stories. They invite all to share their gifts for ministry. They commit to learning in community. They share a rich symbolic life. They develop wider community, denominational, and ecumenical relationships. They implement ongoing discernment/evaluation. They cultivate a life of prayer and spiritual stamina. Help members discover their gifts DISCERNMENT Affirm gifts for ministry Deploy spiritual leaders for the mission on the Church Permission-giving for new ministries 8

9 Engage in biblical and theological reflection on the mission of the Church Provide a means of identifying the spiritual gifts and abilities of the membership Work with council on matters regarding leadership (other than employed staff) Focus on mission and ministry as the context for service Guide the development and training of spiritual leaders Recruit, nurture, and support spiritual leaders Assist the council in assessing changing leadership needs Recommend to charge conference names of people to serve in designated ministries 9

10 What would it look like? If all in the church took the ministry of the baptized seriously What would it look like? If all leaders were ready to forget former ways and do a new thing I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee. 10

11 Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen. From John Wesley's Covenant Service, 1780 PO Box 5606 Glen Allen VA or ext