We gather as a people to be nurtured and then sent as co-participants in God’s creation

There is an inherent flaw in the understanding of all ministry as the exclusive work of professional clergy. All human beings are made to be part of the creational work of the Divine. Hence, all are called to be ministers and to do ministry in the many venues of everyday living. The congregation becomes a vessel for discovering and living out ministry both within and beyond the congregation.

Clergy may have specialized education and training, but they are not endowed with special rights or responsibilities. In this interpretation, congregations become "refueling stations" for the work and ministry of people in the world. Ordained clergy use their special expertise to coach and enable others to discover and honor God’s call to service in the world. This understanding leads to a reinterpretation of the traditional roles of professional clergy and those who are not ordained. It also calls for a reconsideration of related religious institutions and practices.

Faith as a way of life

The Abrahamic traditions—Judaism, Christianity and Islam—all believe in one God who takes an active role in life. All three advocate and provide guidelines for faithful living as part of a community. Christianity, however, has a deeper tradition of clericalism and structured hierarchy. The divinity of Christ and emergence of the priesthood, in some denominations, developed into a deep distinction between those who are ordained and those who are not. In some cases, people believe that ordination makes one ontologically different.

Aspects of the lay movement that emphasize a return to the equal status of all believers tend to be specifically Christian. While Islam and Judaism struggle with the same issues of engaging and supporting congregations, the lay/clergy division is not as pronounced. Issues tend to focus around basic tenets of the faith itself, nurturing and sustaining the faith community, passing the faith to future generations, and the intersection of faith and contemporary society.

Baptized to be the church

One interpretation insists that baptism conveys the responsibility to minister. Baptism endows the people of God with everything they need to be THE ministers of the church. Everyday experiences provide unique opportunities for ministry as embodied in each individual. Lay-led house churches and governance-endorsed mutual-ministry programs where lay people are the only leaders of a congregation exemplify the broadest application of this model.

The congregation itself can be engaged in ministry that nurtures and inspires. Faith-based partnerships, social service agencies, organizations serving direct needs of the community or advocating for social justice can all be considered part of the congregational mission inspired by the people of God. Evangelism, teaching and offering hospitality are other ministry activities.

Implications for congregational leaders

This expression of lay ministry challenges people to reclaim the responsibilities of Baptism and consequential church restructure. It empowers the laity while reinforcing the importance of the church as a supporting and equipping institution. This may prove difficult for some congregations, particularly those firmly grounded in their established hierarchical or denominational structures.

To effectively support lay ministers, worship may include references to the everyday aspects of life. Ritual, designed to mark life’s significant moments, can easily accommodate symbols of human work and ministry. Occupational blessings, artifacts that represent work and secular living, sermons and special prayers can be woven into worship to transform it into a supportive element. Congregational leaders can visit people in their workplaces and then reinforce the religious community by sharing these stories as examples of the congregation’s work in the world. One congregation, trying to make this transition, posted an exit sign that reminds congregants, "You are now entering the mission field, come back when you need reinforcement."

Wayne Schwab, author of When the Members Are the Missionaries, proposes that a congregation should support lay ministry with four primary activities: (1) helping people discern their calling; (2) forming people into ministers through worship, scripture and daily-life study, and service; (3) sending people forth into their ministries; and (4) supporting people with education and other activities. People are encouraged to think through the basics of their ethics, faith, and congregational responsibilities in light of these activities.

Go to "Congregational Life" resources.