CELEBRATING LAY MINISTRY
1 Peter 2:9
1 Corinthians 12:4-6
Celebrating Lay Ministry Sunday
April 30, 2017
Pastor Nathan J. Thompson
One of the important and major reforms which Martin Luther brought about in the church through the Reformation in the 1500’s was what is termed “ThePriesthood Of All Believers.” Truth is that up until that time the priests (ordained clergy) were the only ones who were thought to have the holy calling for ministry.
The clergy were the only ones who were thought to have the apostolic blessing (power) to officiate at the mass; to consecrate the elements for Holy Communion; to offer the prayers on behalf of the people. It was also believed that the clergy were needed to hear confessions; only they could offer forgiveness on Jesus’ behalf.
Martin Luther however proclaimed that every believer in Jesus is a priest/minister. He proclaimed that each and every believer can have a personal relationship with Jesus; that each believer is called to be a minister no matter what their gift/talent might be. Whether a person is a teacher; laborer; business person; homemaker; whatever—they should see that calling as a special gift and ministry given by God. They should live it out to God’s glory.
Martin Luther went so far as to say that if a peasant (very common then) who is a ditch digger would do his job to the glory of God—that his calling in Christ was just as honorable as the pope; bishops; priests. Truth is that no person or calling is better (greater) in God’s eyes. Each gift/calling is equally important in the Body of Christ.
One of the Biblical foundations for this reform is found in 1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
Also the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” Paul reminds us that we truly need each other; our congregation needs all the variety of gifts in order to minister as his church.
As a result of the Reformation our Lutheran denomination has through the years understood that being a pastor is simply my calling; my God-given gifts and ministry in life. However my calling is not to do all the ministry for you. My pastoral calling is to help empower; train; assist each of you in your callings—in your unique ministries in your work; your home; in our congregation.
Even in the area of preaching; teaching; leading worship; Holy Communion; visiting the sick, etc...pastors are not the only ones who can do these things. Pastors don’t have any special or extra apostolic blessing (power) to do them. Clergy are not any closer to God; they are not more blessed by God. My calling as a pastor is not at all about having a more direct line to God.
Rather my pastoral calling is to make sure these ministries are done according to God’s Word; are done in good order. Any of you could baptize a baby; proclaim the Words of Institution in the Lord’s Supper; preach a sermon; lay hands on someone; pray with them. My ministry is centered in my call to the Messiah congregation—my call to be a faithful servant of the Gospel.
Through the years our Lutheran Church (as well as many Protestant churches) have had hundreds of lay pastors who have officiated at baptisms and the Lord’s Supper; have preached in worship and taught with authority. There have been hundreds of lay evangelists; lay care givers; lay leaders who have touched countless lives.
That is one major reason I did not support the efforts some 15 years ago for our Lutheran church to unite closer with the Episcopalian system—on fancier robes and paraphernalia; more liturgical (high church); more clergy/bishop focused; an apostolic blessing through bishops.
Lay pastors/evangelists (conducting the sacraments; preaching; etc) are not allowed in this Episcopalian (Catholic) system because clergy have some “apostolic” power lay people do not. This has not been a good direction for our denomination—especially now when there is a clergy shortage; in a time when lay ministry is needed more than ever.
Messiah's mission however is to focus on God’s calling; to empower and multiply lay ministry in our church. Our purpose as a congregation is to help you as lay people to see your lives; to see gifts/talents as a calling from God. Our mission is to help each one of you discover ways you can use your special gifts/talents as part of a ministry in our church.
These ministries of course can be broader than what people often think of as ministry. For example there are a number of very large congregations who now have auto repair ministries with lots of people involved. These groups usually come together regularly; have a short devotion (prayer); then they work together fixing up and repairing cars.
Some of these cars are donated to these ministries to be fixed up so they can be given to single mothers (needy persons). This in turn helps these mothers to be able to get to work; not be strapped with big repair bills; to better provide for themselves (families). Other cars needing repairs often come from needy people themselves who don’t have money to fix their cars. It is an incredible ministry where these lay ministers witness for Jesus. (Other creative ideas?)
Here at Messiah one of our unique lay ministries and ministers is Shirley Sampson who imputs and formats all the projection stuff each week—songs; readings; outlines; pictures; announcements. Her ministry (along with those who operate the projection/sound/cameras/live-streaming) make it possible for each of us to more easily worship Jesus.
Messiah is also blessed with Stan Stark who does lots of maintenance and fix up projects; a Decorating Team; someone who waters (cares for) the plants; quilters who meet twice a month to sew quilts for missions; an Outreach Team who plans special events (movie and fellowship meals); promotes the food shelf/other missions; is putting together a new picture directory.
Messiah's Vision Team has empowered many new visions (projection; Praise Team; new ministry teams); the Succession Planning Team are seeking and interviewing potential pastoral candidates; the Youth & Education Teams empower and involve volunteers in ministry to our youth/kids; the Technology Team (Websites, etc); the Memorial & Bequest Team give out scholarship support.
Messiah also has Stephen Ministers who have been trained (50 hours) and who minister to individuals each week in our congregation and community. As Martin Luther once said...if you do any job to the glory of God it is ministry.
Another very important ministry at Messiah is our Hospitality Ministry (Welcome Team)--those who greet people; open doors; answer questions at the Welcome Center. They would eventually like to see bulletins placed on stands for you to pick up—then the team can focus completely on welcoming people. Our mission is to help everyone feel welcome and loved in this place.
Other important ministries are our communion helpers and preparers; lay readers; candle lighters; coffee/fellowship preparers for before and after worship. We also have Praise Team members (from age 80 down to age 13) along with choir participants. Liza Long also serves as our Wedding Coordinator. All these people share in extremely important ministries in our church.
Yes Messiah has many lay ministries which individuals can plug into. Children’s ministry always needs teachers/helpers (thanks to all who helped this year). Music ministry needs more singers (especially sopranos/altos). Youth ministry has needs periodically for adult advisors; helpers; confirmation mentors. The church organization always needs leaders; doers; helpers.
That's what we hope will happen this morning—that each one here will sign up and get involved in some ministry here at Messiah. Either that or unite with some others and start a new ministry. As they say we don't need your butts in the pews...we need your involvement in ministry.
There are people at stations to answer questions; posters to put your nametag on. You can be on a team and still do things in hospitality, etc. We especially need people in Outreach; Projection/Sound; technology input; etc. If you don't have time to be on a team you can volunteer to help with various programs; activities; events. We need your help somewhere.
Being involved in ministry is so important because as we put our faith into concrete action (ministry); it is then that we grow and stretch the most in our faith in Jesus. Also it is then that we will have the most satisfaction and joy as we see how we have touched and helped others in the name of Jesus. Ministry involvement truly blesses ones life in many ways.
I like the quote of Dale Galoway (pastor; author; expert in leadership): “Whenever clergy become the elite, hoarding and doing ministry all by themselves the church stagnates, declines and dies. Whenever ministry is shared and entrusted to lay people, the church stops just trying to survive and starts thriving and making its impact on changing lives and changing the world.”
“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, God’s own people.” That is God’s promise to you and to his church. May each one of you claim and develop the priesthood and ministry that the Holy Spirit is calling you to. Please say with me: “I have a gift and a calling; I have an important part to play in the body of Christ; what fills me up is to do the work of God; Church doesn't exist for me...we are the church and we exist for the world.”