Sharing Ministry
Often when people hear the word ‘ministry’, they think it means the ‘vicar’. But ministry is not just something for ordained clergy; every Christian is called to ministry among others, whether among family, friends and colleagues and to the wider community. Ministry follows from the fact of baptism; ministry follows from being Christ’s disciple. Some people come to understand that they are called to a formal or accredited ministry as a Reader, Evangelist, Ordained Local Minister or as part of a local ministry team, but everyone has something to contribute to the life of God’s church and the sharing of the gospel with others. God uniquely equips and gifts each person with the means to reflect His glory and grace. This means that lay and ordained ministry does not belong solely with active ‘doers’. People with disabilities, children and the elderly, all have the capacity to minister to the needs of others, through prayer, friendships, and relationships nurtured at home, work and school.
In rural areas, clergy have for some time been expected to have responsibility for several parishes. Five or six is common and some have as many as fourteen. It is impossible for one person to take on all the duties and tasks of ministry in several parishes, which may stretch over a wide geographical area. However, some congregations still expect clergy to do it all, and will try to avoid taking on responsibility of being church in the local community. In some cases this has led to depression and burn-out, as the burden mounts on a single person. So, if rural churches are to grow then members of the congregation and wider church community will have to be willing to work together in sharing Christian ministry. This is not about retaining the status quo, or being a second best substitute for the ‘real’ minister, but is about learning how to be the presence of Christ in the community.
Local Ministry
Local Ministry Teams (LMTs) or Ministry Leadership Teams as they are also known, consist of a group of lay people, ordained and other authorised ministers such as Ordained Local Ministers or Readers, who work together to lead services, home groups or to provide pastoral care. Twenty-three dioceses now have such local ministry schemes. In rural areas teams commonly start across a benefice, with congregations praying for discernment as they nominate people for the team members. A range of gifts and skills is needed to cover the wide set of ministry needs within a benefice.
Ordained Local Ministers
Some members of LMTs may find that they are being called to enter ordained ministry as the result of a process of discernment which includes their own congregation and Christian community. They are then trained as ordained local ministers (OLMs) with the agreement and blessing of their local congregation. OLMs are usually licensed only to the community where they live. They receive a full training for ordination. OLMs, who are non-stipendiary (i.e. self-supporting), lead services and celebrate Holy Communion, preach and teach, take funerals and baptisms and offer pastoral care. Many OLMs willingly undertake these duties alongside their paid employment and family commitments. Not every diocese operates such a scheme but where OLMs are part of a wider ministry team, the ministry they offer is extremely valuable.
LMTs in the diocese of Gloucester initially covered the whole of a benefice, with individuals having responsibilities in their own village. More recently LMTs in large benefices have adapted to have more of a group presence in each village. For example in the Painswick group of six parishes there is one LMT which has four locally focused and based groups, helping to meet local needs and expectations. In Lichfield Diocese the large Uttoxeter group of parishes includes a market town. Here the LMT is divided into five groups which operate locally in the villages and draw strength from each other across the whole benefice.
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