Successful Lay Ministry: The Key Ingredients

Holiness Today wanted to delve into the question of what ingredients result in successful lay ministry in the church. So we went to the experts-seasoned servants in their local churches-for answers. We think their responses will give you some insightful thoughts to ponder and practice as you become involved in lay ministry in your own church.

HT: How and why did you get started in lay ministry?

Charlotte: I got involved in lay ministry because I believe God has called each of us to various ministry roles. He has given us those talents and gifts to share for His purpose. I want to serve where God calls me to minister.

Brian: We were attending Grace Church of the Nazarene in Memphis. My wife and I were part of the young couples class in Sunday School when the Sunday School superintendent asked me if I would try teaching the class. At the time I was a corporate trainer, so it seemed like a reasonable place to serve in the church. I really enjoyed studying the lessons and facilitating the discussions. The members of the class were very responsive. The Dialogue Series from WordAction worked very well. Preparing the lessons each week forced me to study and learn. I realized that our class members were struggling and were challenged by some of the same things that I was dealing with. A number in our group had much deeper spiritual walks than I did, and their insights helped me grow.

Sherri: I was a member of an Evangelical Free Church. When I got my first real set of drums I was 19 and wanted to get involved in music-to start a rock band at the church. We were pretty bad, but I thought it was important that all of us kids be involved. Then the deacon board met and voted us out because they said we'd offend the visitors. That was 1973, and the church just wasn't ready for those "heathen" drums and guitars in the sanctuary. After a few years, I quit attending church altogether. A pastor suggested I go to Denver First Church of the Nazarene or another large church where I could get involved in music. Several people I knew attended Denver First and invited me to come, so I finally did. The music there knocked me out, and in a few months I was playing in a small group and in the orchestra. My reason for being involved in music was just to use my gift, because I enjoyed playing. For many years music was the only thing that kept me going to church.

Bill: My wife was asked to continue a ministry in our local church for youth Bible quizzing. When my daughter started quizzing, she was discouraged because she did not do well at her first event. So I made a commitment to help her study. At the time I was teaching a college course on Saturdays and had to arrange to end the class early enough to make the Bible quiz events. Then, after seeing how much the youth loved the program and feeling acceptance and love from the kids and leaders, I decided not to teach on the weekends, which freed me to be an adult helper for quizzing. Not only did the program emphasize acceptance for everyone, but it shared scripture in a unique way.

HT: Why do you keep doing lay ministry? Is it because there's still a need or because you get personal benefits from it?

Sherri: Because music is so much a part of me, I can't imagine being in a church and not contributing my gift in some way. There's always a need for people to be involved, and it's nice to be needed. I get an enormous thrill from worshipping God while I'm playing-thinking about who He is and what He's doing in my life and telling Him I love Him. Playing an instrument is such a creative and spiritual act: You're interacting with the Creator himself. It's electrifying.

Bill: I participate because of the personal benefits and the need. When my children were in the program it was natural to be involved-for me anyway. Now, because there is always a need for adult volunteers and since many parents are simply too busy on weekends to assist, I feel a strong need-really a call-to continue though my children are grown. They still stay involved now as adult volunteers. The perks are also a part of this. They are not the kind of personal perks most would seek, but ones that come from the appreciation shown by the youth. They see adults giving and sharing, and they respond with love, kindness, and acceptance. Seeing the program grow and flourish, as young people study God's Word and come to Christ, is a great benefit.

Charlotte: I keep doing what I am doing for my love of Jesus Christ. It is a privilege to be in His service.

Brian: There are two main reasons that I stay involved in lay ministry. First, I passionately believe that God calls me to it. I am now convinced that God led my life along a path that prepared me for leading small groups. Even when I feel overcommitted with work, family, and church, I cannot give up this ministry because I am convinced it is where He wants me to serve. The other reason is that I learn so much from the other Christians in the group. The intimacy and personal nature of small groups allows that to happen for me.

HT: What do you feel makes successful lay ministry in the church?

Bill: In the case of youth ministry, first and foremost, it is love. When an adult shows love and kindness-even when the youth may respond negatively-the youth eventually catch on and see that a Christ-centered life is for them. Consistency is another key. Youth discover that the committed adult is usually a loving and caring adult.

Charlotte: I believe it is many individuals working together in the church for the same cause. It's successful because people are willing to come forward and share their God-given gifts and talents to build Christ's Kingdom. A successful ministry is having the right people in the right ministry for the right reasons. We should never run a program for the sake of running a program and we should never put a lay person in a position for the sake of filling a position. God-led equals success.

Brian: It has to be from God, rather than an idea that begins with me that I haven't submitted to Him. I also think that passion is very important. I recently read about how Paul was driven and passionate in his work because he saw his ministry as a calling. His ministry was not a job or a hobby, but a calling. Effective lay ministry is ministry that God has called us to do and that we pursue with passion.

Sherri: For us to have successful lay ministry in our personal lives, I feel that surrender is a key. That's been the toughest thing for me. To let go of my music and let God control it has been a real learning experience. I also think a servant attitude is critical-to serve and not be served. Especially in music, it's easy to get a prima dona complex and expect everything to revolve around you. But I've learned if any ministry is true ministry, it isn't about the person performing the ministry, but about God and what He wants. It's also about the needs of the people we're serving-taking ourselves out of the way so that others can see Christ. That's really tough to do.

HT: What can the church do to help and encourage those in lay ministry?

Brian: We should expect people to be involved somehow in ministry in the church. We need to communicate this so everyone understands that part of being a Christian and a member of a church is to serve God in some capacity in the church-internally or through outreach. Then, the church should provide opportunities, encouragement, and appropriate equipping so people can experience success as they serve in their ministry. I believe more people want to serve in ministry but are concerned that it will take them out of their comfort zones. The truth is that it probably will, but the church can do things to make it a positive experience and thereby diminish some of the resistance.

Bill: Lay ministry is a partnership with the church. Because lay ministers are not full-time staff, at times they are treated as needed but not necessarily qualified. The church should understand that many lay people are more than qualified for the positions they fill, and many times it may be their life's work and calling. So the church needs to set aside funds and time for continued training and possibly certification.

Charlotte: Holding a weekend educational session on "Spiritual Gifts" is an excellent way to get people involved in ministry. Many people are surprised when their gifts are revealed. Using those gifts makes for a successful ministry. The church can also be supportive, encouraging, and in constant prayer for those in lay ministry positions.

Sherri: Yes, others in the church can pray for us. The enemy has a wonderful way of messing up people in up-front ministry, by getting our sights fixed on the wrong things. Also, leaders and those in the congregation can speak a word of encouragement to those in lay ministry. I don't know how many times I thought about quitting the music program, and then someone in the congregation spoke to me about how blessed they were by my music. I feel that was God's way of saying, "Hang in there. You're doing what I want you to do." At the same time, however, those working in lay ministry can't totally rely on people's feedback and compliments. We should serve for no response at all except the approval of our heavenly Father.

HT: Do you have any tips on how the church can draw more people to do lay ministry?

Brian: This is almost always a challenge. As Sunday School superintendent, I am often trying to find more teachers, leaders, and facilitators for small groups. It is frustrating to be turned down by those you know have the skills and abilities to serve. They are so reluctant to take the risk or leave their comfort zone. I wish there was a way to "nudge" them out of that comfort zone and have them experience the positives of involvement in lay ministry. That is what happened to me in Memphis. Someone convinced me to try teaching Sunday School and I got hooked! Of course I know that it must have been God's intention for me to be involved in this area. Had someone convinced me to sing a solo, the outcome would have been very different! I recently read The Habits of Highly Effective Churches by George Barna. His research indicates that more people become involved in lay ministries in churches where "being involved" is part of the church's culture. It makes sense to me.

Bill: Create an environment that lets the layperson function more freely and creatively. Break down walls between full-time staff and lay ministers. A staff member may have set ways of thinking and if a layperson does not follow that thought pattern, the layperson may be rejected. There are many ways to lead and lay people can be very creative with time to spare for planning and doing.

HT: What advice or practical helps would you recommend to others who are thinking of working in lay ministry?

Bill: First, make sure the staff understands that you are willing to help and how you want to serve. Take a personality test and see how the results fit the needs of the church. Second, observe the ministry already in place and make recommendations that can be incorporated into that ministry. Seeing and doing can be completely different aspects of the ministry. Try to understand why a ministry is already in place and what need it is seeking to meet. Third, be open minded when trying to understand full-time staff and the ministries they are responsible for. Fourth, be positive. Last, observe different ministries. A ministry may be in place that you, the lay person, don't know about. Surprise at what the church is doing can create an avenue for lay ministry.

Sherri: Make sure that God has called you to serve in that area and that you're not responding out of guilt or pressure. If you're not truly serving the Lord, but are just trying to please others, you won't last in ministry. Ask God to check your motives. What's the real reason you want to be involved? If God asks you to give it all up, would you?

Charlotte: If we continue to remember it is all about God and not us, we will find success. We must be involved in ministry for the right reasons. The more people involved the lighter the load. Each one plays a part in building God's Kingdom.

Brian: Pray about it. Make sure that this is where God wants you to serve. Talk to your pastor about it. I asked for advice about different aspects of the ministry I do-teaching Sunday School-from friends at other churches. I try to find out what they have tried, what worked, and where the problems are. It would be great to have a resource area on the Nazarene web site for interaction and posting ideas, successes, pitfalls, and so on. For example, our men's ministry group circulates a weekly E-mail newsletter. The church subscribes to it for $99 (U.S.) per year, and we are allowed to add our masthead and content as appropriate and distribute it freely. It is a great resource. I believe other men's ministry groups might benefit from this. Advice: Stay the course. Don't give up. Not everything will work or be a success at first. Through God, your efforts will make a difference.

Jeanette Gardner Littleton is a freelance writer and editor from Kansas City.

Holiness Today, March/April 2005

Please note: This article was originally published in 2005. All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at that time but may have since changed.