Throughout the Summer we are highlighting the value and importance of lay ministry in our churches by sharing articles, stories, testimonies and pointing to ways that people might explore their ministry via our Pathways courses. Bishop Sophie launches our campaign this week with an article encouraging all to find out how they may be gifted to bless to their world.
It’s very clear to me that here in the Diocese of Coventry we have long been committed to the church Paul describes in his letters. It is a church where the many different members of the body all have a part to play and where we all need one another. It is also a church where all are welcome, and our desire continues to be, that everyone has the opportunity to serve and enjoy flourishing in the work of the God.
We heard in our most recent clergy wellbeing survey that one of the great joys of ordained ministry is the opportunity to work with lay people who discover their God given gifts and begin to use them in the life of the church and wider community. Already in our diocese, I have found so many people who are on that journey as I visit churches, chaplaincies, schools and community projects, week by week. This discovery of God’s gifts can be completely life changing for individuals and also for the church.
Some of you will know that I am the national episcopal lead for Lay Ministries and I often speak about the fact that ministry begins at baptism not ordination. At our baptism we are sent out to shine as lights for Christ to the glory of God the Father. This ministry is the ministry of the whole people of God not just for the few who are ordained. Ministry is our service of God through Jesus Christ and once we become followers he wants to release us to use our gifts in all sorts of helpful and creative ways.
One helpful way into this can be found in Ephesians chapter 4. Paul speaks of the task of the leader to equip the saints for works of service. In other words, it is the role of the leader to encourage every member of the body to find out what God is calling them into and to help them grow in this calling.
In this letter Paul writes that some are called to be apostles, pastors, teachers, shepherds and evangelists. These words can sound unfamiliar to people who are new to the life of the church but at heart its very simple. It is all about becoming the person that God has truly called you to be. Dallas Willard speaks of discipleship as living as Jesus would if he were you.
In other letters Paul lists even more specific ways in which God shapes people for his use including administration, serving and encouragement. Here in Coventry Diocese we have so many wonderful people doing all kinds of things, but we long to see even more. This is not for the sake of numbers or filling roles, it is because we long to see people grow into the people that God would have them be using all the gifts and skills he provides. Often there is a danger that we can look at others and think that they have all the gifts and we aren’t sure that we have much to offer. The truth is that everyone has a part to play and sometimes we need help to find out what that is.
Maybe you are really good with people and you would love to find out about pastoral care, or maybe you have a heart especially for the bereaved or those suffering from dementia. If that’s you then we can help equip you for this opportunity. Perhaps you have a conviction to do something about food poverty or climate care and you want to know what you can do to support. You may have seen people lead prayers in church or lead a bible study and you wonder whether that is something you could offer because you have sensed God’s call. Maybe you have begun to discover a gift for telling people about Jesus and you would like to grow in this ministry or perhaps you have a heart for children and young people and you would like to be equipped to support them through the church or school.
On our Equip Hub we have a whole range of options for you to consider to take the next step in finding out what your place might be in God’s purposes.
Why not find out more by going to Pathways on the Equip Hub or contact our Lay Learning Lead, Anna Naish to find out more.
The truth is that God delights in our availability for his purposes, so why not take the next step and see where it leads…it could just be life changing!
….So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.
(Ephesians 4:11-12)