In Between: New Reformation: Shared ministry

Posted: 2/15/08

In Between:
New Reformation: Shared ministry

The great Reformation of Luther and Calvin left unfinished business. What the Christian world has not taken seriously is the ministry of all believers, whether lay or ordained, male or female. The Apostle Paul described it as “equipping all believers for ministry” (Ephesians 4:12).

Greg Ogden writes in his book, The New Reformation: Returning the Ministry to the People of God: “Serious signs of strain have become visible in traditional American church life. Overworked and stressed pastors and staff worry about large numbers of inactive and passive members who look to the church during times of need, but who often give very little in the form of regular committed service. Fast-growing churches and younger denominations are growing because they have found ways to entrust ministries to nonordained people.”

One Texas pastor agrees and said it this way to me just a few days ago: “I am overwhelmed, while laypersons in my church are totally underwhelmed and unchallenged because they see their primary task is to pay and pray for the staff to do everything. I was even told, ‘Preacher, you’re trained and paid, so it is up to you to get ministry done the best way you can.’”

In between Charles Wade’s and the BGCT’s next executive director, I have the wonderful privilege of listening to the concerns, questions and prayer requests of Texas Baptists—both inside and outside the convention staff. I plan to share some of those relevant matters with you during these next few weeks.

Let me give you some really good news. I am finding more and more congregations that want to be engaged with really important rather than urgent concerns. Folks keep saying to me, “We must make the first thing the first thing.” That is to call women and men and girls and boys to faith in Christ Jesus. Therefore, it appears to me that placing evangelism, disciple-building and missions above all else is a must.

Why do we spend so much time growing church and committee members, instead of growing disciples, in all of our efforts? One answer is for pastors, staff and for lay leaders to be more intentional in their work together of disciple-building rather than church-building.

One of our congregations in North Texas has been incredibly successful at this because of the way staff and elected lay leaders work together. One of their primary ministries is helping folks, as they like to say, “with hurts, hang-ups and habits.” Bible study also is central to the equation. Along with this is a concentrated focus on life groups. Instead of bickering, fussing and disagreeing as to how the church will grow disciples, these leaders concentrate on the call to be faithful to Christ, and not about turf or control. And they are finding results that give glory to God instead of their own egos.

Egos leave the room, credit is seldom mentioned, and God is glorified. Think of it—staff and laypersons glorifying God, reaching a very lost Texas and agreeing that ministry belongs to all of us. What a wonderful idea.

Jan Daehnert is interim executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board.