Called Together: Energizing the Laity s Personal Call to Ministry

Transcription

1 Called Together: Energizing the Laity s Personal Call to Ministry Dean G. Blevins Nazarene Theological Seminary Larry Morris SDMI USA/Canada Regional Coordinator Greg Pressley Sumter First Church of the Nazarene

2 Ephesians 4: 1, As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received 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 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

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4 Challenge Our World Today? Challenge begins in the church J.I. Packer and Gary Parrett: Grounded in the Gospel Christian Smith: Soul Searching Largest Youth and Religion study in the USA MTD: Moral Therapeutic Deism John Dickerson: The Great Evangelical Recession How are we to respond?

5 The Great Evangelical Recession Fragmentation of Society Growing secular influences upon culture Economic and cultural pressures reducing funding and church involvement Growing distrust of religious leaders and ministry professionals

6 Dr. James M. Houston

7 Gaining Perspective

8 1 Peter 2:9 you are a chosen people, 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.

9 the current distinction between clergy and laity does not belong in the church. Rather, the whole church, the community of all the saints, together, is appointed by God for a ministry to and for the world.

10 Fulfilling the Call SDMI Lay Ministry Video Discipleship begins with a call

11 Called Together God has called both laity and clergy to their mutual ministry through the Church.

12 The Wesleyan Perspective Utilization of Lay Ministers Equal Accountability Everyone was to Bloom where Planted

13 Back to the Future We have to re-emphasize the call of the laity as mutual ministers When we revitalize laity, they move from consumers to congregants, from attenders to disciples, from participants to apprentices and co-leaders in ministry, The church has a chance to follow what God has in mind.

14 What do you think? What are the implications of the cultural changes that are impacting the Church today? How are they impacting your church? What do you think about Dr. Houston s statements about the condition of lay ministry? What do you believe are the best ways forward to re-energize laity in ministry?

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16 Laity making a difference Do you know someone like Abby? What are the factors that helped nurture her to this level of Christian character and commitment?

17 How do we: Ground new believers by giving a good beginning as the called laos (people) of God? Empower lay calling through commissioning them in their ministry? Prepare laity as they explore/expand their vision of calling to every aspect of their lives?

18 Making the Connection with Laity Rev. Greg Pressley Sumter First Church of the Nazarene Sumter, South Carolina

19 Moving Forward Together! Teaching on calling Listening to Laity Empowering Laity Sharing of stories Celebrating life s transitions and opportunities Incorporating vocational calling into worship

20 Provide a Good Beginning More than membership class What do all Christian s need to know as they enter the Christian Life? Early Church: Catechesis (teaching) more than catechism (content) Entering a whole new world

21 Recognizing the Challenge of Change Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better. King Whitney Jr.

22 Shifting Leadership Styles What are the Characteristics of Servant-Shepherd Leaders?

23 Disciples are handmade one relationship at a time

24 Practice Patience Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

25 Don t plow your planted fields Don t plow up your planted fields

26 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

27 The importance of lay ownership

28 The Journey begins and ends in Trust Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

29 If Christ be lifted up Like every generation before ours and every generation after, deep down, we long for Jesus. Rachel Held Evans

30 SDMI Lay Ministry Video Discipleship begins with a call For more information about this presentation of the videos please lmorris@nazarene.org

31 Called Together: Energizing the Laity s Personal Call to Ministry