The term "lay ministry" is used to describe the work and service of those who are not ordained. In secular usage, "lay" refers to the state of not being specially qualified or skilled in a profession. Based on what lay ministry is not, this definition fails to capture the activity that emerges from and is supported by the community of faith. In the church, baptism empowers all to be ministers—in fact, the community of believers IS the church.

The nautical definition of "lay" defines that act of holding a boat immobile while headed into the wind, often in defense of an overpowering wind—hardly a more helpful image!

The term "ministry" brings to mind stereotypes of the "official" work done by clergy, who are often called ministers. To imply that the activity of those not ordained is not "real" ministry, that those not ordained are not fully ministers, misses the point (and responsibility) shared by all members of a congregation.

In many ways, the term "lay ministry" couldn’t be further from the reality. Instead of holding the congregations in a steady position of immobility, lay ministry is a means to energize the community of believers to make things happen.