People Spots Online
Produced by James W. Moss, Sr., and Church Consultants
Provided as a service by New Life Ministries

by James W. Moss, Sr.

A hard working minister can sustain a small church by doing most of the work alone. Modest growth often gives encouragement to continue such a strategy. Many pastors today do too much of the work. Pastors are frequently like the parent who tells a child, "Get out of here! It is easier to do it myself. I don't want to be bothered with you." So the minister lifts the burden alone. Sensing the workload, the pastor complains "I have to do all the work of this church myself."

Does it surprise you that leaders in churches discourage lay participation? Few churches have strategized to involve laity in ministry. Meaningful lay involvement occurs only by design. Full use of lay ministry gifts is essential for the development of an attitude of caring. Laity need the satisfaction that comes from making ultimate contributions to life. Rev. George Jackson concluded a sermon with a challenge to become meaningfully involved in the life of the church. Following the call to commitment, one hundred people responded. Some overheard Rev. Jackson to say under his breath, "Oh my gosh, what will I do with one hundred ushers!" That statement illustrates the value assigned by many regarding lay participation.

Capable and responsible people are busy. They will give time and talent to meaningful efforts. No busy work, please! Clergy are willing to allow lay involvement when they feel self-confidence. They must also trust people. This trust that sets people free has its roots in love. Love implies the ability to set another free.

Others may not do the assignments as well as the pastor might do them. If so, accept their best efforts. Involvement creates a sense of ownership. Volunteers often improve at tasks with experience. Lay involvement frees a pastor's time to do things that others cannot. This also means that volunteers even need to be free to fail.

Sometimes the lay person will do the job better than the pastor could. That can be very threatening for some clergy. Pastors must be secure in their own person. Secure leaders turn over jobs to those who are more capable than the pastor.

Ministry contacts are important for growth. These include sending bulletins to absent families, notes of thanks for those who have labored on behalf of the church, phone visits with participants and prospects, house calls, and hospital calls. A pastor who plays the "Lone Ranger" will find ministry greatly limited. Involve laity in meaningful ministry.

There is much talk about equipping ministry. Every believer is to be a minister. God has called some people apart to equip others for more effective ministry. Let us be at the task! Before all the "people spots" are full, a church must carefully assess how it may move the barriers to make possible the expansion of ministry.

A computer was purchased for our office in 1983. I discovered that it took longer to do some tasks after the computer was first purchased than it did doing them the old way by hand. But after several weeks a corner was turned. Then the computer began to make the work easier. Now I don’t know how I would function without one. Involving laity in ministry is like that. In the beginning it may be simpler to do it yourself. As times passes a corner will be turned. The potential for ministry will increase exponentially as the number of volunteers assisting in the ministry increases.

The following is a strategy for delegation. Delegation is getting work done through others. People involvement is essential for effective ministry.

1. When a new job appears, first ask, "Why me Lord?" The answer may be, "Yes, it is you!" If not, then follow these steps.

2. Dialogue: Carefully explain what you expect of the person who will do the job for you. Do not assume they know how to do the job.

3. Establish due dates. All good assignments require realistic dates.

4. Point to resources that will help. This may include both books and people who can help. You may also give a caution not to seek help from certain sources.

5. Publicly assign this person. Let everyone know that this person is responsible for this task. Refer any questions to them.

6. Turn over the whole task. Give the whole job to the person. Do not permit them to give it back to you.

7. Give advice without interfering. You may help but the task is still theirs.

8. Establish method and dates for progress reports. Intermediate checkpoints are essential.

9. Give credit for successes to the assigned person. Take the blame if it does not work.

10. Allow others to have the joy of making a significant contribution to the ministry of the church by participating meaningfully in that ministry.

"...so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." Romans 12:5-8

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July 13, 2000. Volume 3, Issue 10.  People Spots Online is prepared by James W. Moss, Sr., and Church Consultants.  It is provided as a service by New Life Ministries, www.NewLifeMinistries-NLM.org.  Articles may be duplicated and reproduced in any way. A new article is produced about every two weeks. To be added to a list to receive these messages directly by e-mail, send a request to churchconsultants@yahoo.com.

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