Walking Partners

In the training that I provide for local church Lay Leaders, I begin with what should be a simple equation:

The Congregational Ministry =

Ministry of the Laity + Skills and Experience of Professional Clergy

This is the heart of the Partners in Ministry program that our Virginia Conference Board of Laity has emphasized for many years.  One of the major assumptions of the Partners in Ministry program is that to be effective, clergy and laity need to work as a team with a shared vision for the church.  Both must take 100% of the responsibility for the outcomes – positive or negative.  In order to be effective, we must recognize and utilize the personal gifts and graces of each person.  Together, we must strengthen our own spiritual foundations and improve our skills for leading the church forward.

I must admit that lately I’ve struggled mightily with the clergy/lay divide.  This honestly has been a challenge for me since I started working on the Connectional Ministries staff so it’s nothing new.  In the recent weeks, however, I have found myself in situations where the differences are more profound than ever.  Sometimes I think it comes from being the definite minority in a level of denominational work that is dominated by clergy.  Other times it seems due to the lingering challenges of gender or racial/ethnic differences.  Many times the divide is felt more strongly because of perceived status within a denomination comprised of many, many levels and divisions.  No matter what the true cause of this clergy/lay divide, I firmly believe that we are called to be equal partners in making disciples of Jesus Christ; we must work together if we are to accomplish our mission. I hold deep in my heart and soul our United Methodist belief that we are all called to be ministers - called through our baptism to be disciples in all areas of our lives and examples of Christ’s love to the world. 

Jim Nibbelink of Milford, Ohio, delivered the Laity Address at the 2000 General Conference of The United Methodist Church.  One of his opening statements was that tradition “is impeding the ability of congregations to engage in active ministry.” This “tradition,” as he continued, has created separate tasks for clergy and lay members instead of bringing us together as partners. "The time has long passed, if it was truly ever here, when one leader could chart the course, make decisions, call the tune and carry the load," he said. "Dictates from the pulpit or pew must pass away, and a renewed, cooperative spirit must be encouraged to take root."  (You can find the summary of Mr. Nibbelink’s address at: http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=694 ) 

Thirteen years have passed since this address at General Conference, but I still struggle as many of you may with the great divide.  As laity, we must identify new ways to be bridge builders if our congregations are truly to become more vital and fruitful. It’s our baptismal calling.