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November 2011                                        Pastoral Excellence Program
In This Issue
Strengthening the Ministry...
Three New Books...
 
Two Pastoral Excellence Program events that highlight some of Ms. Michel's points in the article are coming up!
 
One for those staffpersons who supervise others and the other for whole staff teams (lay and clergy together).

January 17-19, 2012 :
"The Art and Ministry of Supervision: Combining the Sacred and the Secular" with 
Susan Beaumont, 
Senior Consultant with
The Alban Institute

February 7, 2012:
"Stepping Up: Developing Resilience in
Multiple Staff Teams" 
with
Larry Peers, Senior Consultant with
The Alban Institute
 
 For complete details
please visit: www.macucc.org/events
Quicklinks

 




 
 
 
PLEASE NOTE:
Both articles are used with permission from Leading Ideas, a free online newsletter of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary and available at
 
 
Strengthening the Ministry of Lay Staff

by Ann A. Michel

 

Tens of thousands of lay staff workers provide Christian nurture to our children; counsel our youth; lead the ministries that engage others in Christian formation, education, and outreach; enable worship; and support and order the life of the church in a myriad of vital ways. I recently surveyed hundreds of individuals serving in staff roles as well as the

pastors of their churches.

 

Survey results suggest that church members increasingly look to lay staff for the type of leadership, counsel, instruction, and spiritual direction once provided exclusively by clergy. But many lay staff felt ambiguities and tensions related to their spiritual authority and identity in ministry.Structures often exist to provide clergy with supervision, accountability, and various kinds of support, but similar structures do not exist for most lay persons with ministry responsibilities.

 

Based on the results of this research, there are several areas in which congregations that employ lay staff, as well as the lay ministry practitioners themselves, would do well to give attention.

  

Spiritual formation.  Many lay staff enter into ministry responsibilities without the benefit of the period of formation clergy generally receive in their education and ordination processes. Many lay staff report feeling spiritually unprepared for the expectations placed on them. Others, especially those without roots in the denomination of the church they are serving, expressed a need for a clearer understanding of the beliefs of the denomination. Congregations, particularly those with large lay staffs, should strive to integrate prayer, Bible study, and spiritual formation into the ongoing work of their staff team or teams and encourage spiritual mentoring of lay staff by clergy, other lay staffers, or spiritual directors.

     

Continuing education. A common theme among lay staff is their felt need for more training of various kinds. Pastors, supervisors, and personnel committees can help lay staff identify appropriate workshops, seminars, and learning resources; chart a course of appropriate and accessible professional growth; and provide funds for professional development. 

  

Theological education. Most lay staff do not have seminary degrees. Nor are many likely to interrupt their careers to pursue a theological degree through the traditional channels. However, most could benefit from specialized theological instruction tailored to their circumstances and needs and made available in accessible formats -- such as distance learning options or intensive study programs.

 

 

Peer learning and support networks. Lay staff can benefit greatly from establishing professional relationships with other ministry practitioners beyond their congregations. In some areas of specialization, such as church administration, church music, and Christian education, professional associations and guilds can provide enrichment and support. Additionally, informal networks with staff working in similar specialties in other churches in the region should be encouraged as a way to share ideas, resources, and best practices.

 

 

Training on confidentiality and boundaries. Lay staff generally have not received the same level of training as clergy on handling pastoral concerns, sexual ethics, or other boundary issues. Therefore, congregations must assure that their lay staff members are adequately prepared for this challenging aspect of ministry.

 

 

Accountability. For most lay staff, the legitimization of their ministry authority flows from the fact of their being hired. And supervision and evaluation generally follow a workplace model. At minimum, clearly stated job descriptions and review procedures should be in place. But congregations must ask if standard workplace mechanisms alone are sufficient for accountability in ministry. Staff covenants can clarify expectations, foster accountability, and promote communication within church staffs.

 

 

Expectations regarding staff who are church members. It behooves a congregation with church members on the payroll to think through some of the questions that might arise. For example, will a member/employee have voice and vote in church decision making? Are they eligible to be nominated to lay leadership positions? What will be the fallout if a member/employee must be disciplined or let go? Clear policies can help avoid confusion, conflict, and inconsistency.

 

The number of lay staff employed by congregations continues to increase each year. My hope is that some of these suggestions will permit them to flourish in their important ministries.

 

 

Ann A. Michel ([email protected]) is associate director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership and recently completed her Doctor of Ministry degree in church leadership from Wesley Theological Seminary. Her blog on lay staff issues can be found at www.in-ministry-together.com.

 

 

 

 

Three New Books on Effective Pastoral Ministry

Ann A. Michel and Lovett H. Weems, Jr.

 

The pastoral excellence movement has given rise to a growing body of literature analyzing the nature of effective pastoral ministry and offering advice on how to nurture and sustain effectiveness. Three recent titles exemplify this trend. One focuses on new pastors, one on long-term efficacy, and one on getting off to a good start in a new ministry setting.

  

Starting with Spirit by Bruce G. Epperly, Alban 2011.  

Epperly offers a wide-ranging compendium of advice for those new to pastoral ministry as well as those who teach, mentor, and advise them. He begins with an overview of entry-to-ministry challenges, devoting subsequent chapters to exploring issues such as understanding one's role within the congregation, change and conflict, keeping
 

Pursuing Pastoral Excellence by Paul Hopkins, Alban 2011.

Hopkins seeks to identify the recurring behaviors, beliefs, and practices that undergird long-term fruitfulness in ministry. The book revolves around seven chapters profiling individual clergymen and clergywomen, recounting their hopes, challenges, and successes in a sympathetic, but honest, manner. From these case studies, Hopkins lifts

up seven attributes of effective ministry over the long haul: a call to holy purpose; dependable authenticity; the nurture of trusting relationships; generous servanthood; creative adaptability; disciplined persistence; and the practice of faithful spirituality.

  

The First 100 Days: A Pastor's Guide by T. Scott Daniels, Beacon Hill Press, 2011.

Although the title comes from the nomenclature of national presidential transitions, the author understands the many differences in pastoral transitions. Daniels, senior pastor of First Church of the Nazarene in Pasadena, California, shares wise counsel and practical suggestions for pastors entering a new assignment. His advice on actions needed soon and those best left to later is solid. He draws from his experience in a well-organized and easy-to-follow manner. Even pastors who have moved multiple times will find new ideas for the early months in a new place.

 

 

These books are available online through Amazon and Cokesbury.

 

 

 

Sue Dickerman - Coordinator of the Pastoral Excellence Prrogram and Associate Conference Minister for Leadership Development can be reached by email [email protected] or phone 508-875-5233 x233
Kris LoFrumento - Administrator for the Pastoral Excellence Program can be reached by email [email protected] or phone 508-875-5233 x274