|
|
|
|
|
Exploring Ministry
|
In answering the question, “Who are the ministers of the Church?” the Catechism of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer replies: “The ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons.” The Catechism defines two aspects of the ministry of the laos (laos is Greek for “the people of God):
- to bear witness to Christ and carry forward his work of reconciliation in the world,
- to take their place in the life, worship and governance of the church.
The baptismal covenant further defines ministry as fellowship, repentance, proclamation, service, and peacemaking.
|
|
|
Rural Ministry
|
|
|
|
Episcopal Church Rural / Small Community Ministries Office
Small congregations are often downcast about growth. “We’d like to grow, but no matter how we try we seem to stay about the same size” is a frequent lament. While there is no “magic bullet” to growth for any church, there are some basic actions that create a climate for growth as they begin to change the direction of a congregation from inward to outward, from decline to growth.
|
|
|
The Center for Ministry in Small Churches
The Center for Ministry in Small Churches (CMSC) was formed to offer clergy and laity a comprehensive and practical cooperative experience in small church ministry and management which will encourage and support them in their work and mission, and equip these saints of the Lord to grow in love and unity with God and one another in Christian community.
|
|
|
Comprehensive resources from the ELCA
The Rural Ministry Resources and Networking (Rural Desk) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a ministry committed to sharing the promise of hope for rural people, churches and communities through presence, resources, education, advocacy, and networking.
|
|
Resources for ministry of the baptized including clergy
|
|
|
Baptism and Ministry
In answering the question, “Who are the ministers of the Church?” the Catechism of the 1979 Prayer Book replies: “The ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons.” All the baptized together form the laos, the people of God, joined in the one ministry of Jesus Christ.
|
|
|
Toward a Theology of Ministry
The Standing Commission on Ministry Development (SCMD), pursuant to Resolution A086 (1997 General Convention), presents to the Church for review the following discussion document.
|
|
|
Ministry in the Church - Overview
Ministry in the Episcopal Church is shaped by our laws or "canons." In canon law, Title III of the Constitution and Canons provide guidelines at the church-wide level for ministry of the "laos" (the people of God) including those who are ordained.
|
|
|
Living the Christian Way
Do you want your faith to be alive and an integral part of your week Sunday to Saturday and not just Sundays? A key part of ministry is vocation. Even in today's church there are some who still hesitate to call what they do ministry-- at home, at school, in the office, or the factory, on the farm, in retirement. We are absolutely convinced -- and see evidence all around -- that all these situations can be places of servant ministry, if what is done is done with mindfulness and compassion following the example set by Jesus of Nazareth.
The writings of the New Testament speak about the “Way” as code word for the manner of life of a disciple of Jesus. This word conveys a sense of movement, of walking a path to God guided by the Spirit. The community of Christians, the Church, has the responsibility to be your support and strength along the Way.
|
|
|
Lay Ministry within the Church
The Bishop of a diocese may issue licenses to lay persons to serve as Pastoral Leader, Worship Leader, Preacher, Eucharistic Minister, Eucharistic Visitor or Catechist. Requirements and guidelines for the selection, training, continuing education, and deployment of such persons and the duration of licenses are established by the Bishop in consultation with the Commission on Ministry.
A wide range of challenging opportunities exist for professional ministry in the church --for musicians, educators, youth coordinators, etc. There are professional associations for each specialized ministry. The National Network of Lay Professionals (NNLP) begun in 1984, is one organization developing a national support system for lay people employed in ministry of the Episcopal Church.
NNLP defines lay professionals as
- people employed in the mission and ministry of the Episcopal church who:
- regard their work as vocation, as their response to God’s call in their lives;
- have acquired appropriate preparation and training for their work;
- are committed to continuing their education to improve skills and enhance performance;
- and who hold themselves accountable to the particular institutional structure within which they work, and to the wider community of the faithful, all for the love of Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit to the greater glory of God.”
|
|
|
Ordained Ministry
Discerning a call to ministry is done in community with others who know you and can reflect with you about your gifts and talents. These persons include clergy from a local or home congregation, chaplains at schools, members of the Bishop's staff or trusted friends. Each diocese structures its ordination process based on national canons and local context. In addition to the role of Commissions on Ministry many dioceses provide for discernment to take place in the Episcopal congregation or other community of faith to which you belong. Decisions about where your formation and education for ministry can best take place are made in consultation with the bishop of the diocese and the Commission on Ministry.
|
|
|
Urban Ministry in the Episcopal Church
Ministry in the city takes place primarily through neighborhood-based congregations that must contend with an increasingly varied demographic reality and, most often, an aging physical plant.
|
|
|
|
|
|
