Pastor’s Perspective – June 2025
Ministry for Everyone
While sections of America have always sought to follow kings and princes, princesses and popes, the strength of the American way was in the freedom given to people to chart their own course in the framework of the Constitution and the leadership of the Congress. The strength of self-governance was also the strength of the evangelical church and those who followed the general principle of what was once known as “Mainline Christianity.”
The golden age of the Church was not a time of celebrity pastors, but a time in which often nameless people led thriving and loving churches. They called a pastor, but the pastor was not “in charge,” but served the Church (and Jesus) as a prophetic voice to the congregation and a pastor to the people. Congregations made ministerial decisions, but most importantly they did ministry. While leaving the preaching and teaching to those specially trained, the congregation did the day-to-day work of the gospel and maintained a consistent presence in the local community.
To put it in Pauline terms the congregational church understood that the Church was not a group of disembodied mouths shouting into the world. The Church was a body with each person playing their role and sharing the gospel in everyday life. Pastors, vulnerable to the cloistering aspects of preaching ministries, are oftentimes unable to reach out to the world around them. And as minsters have become more executive in their function and (sometimes strident) personalities, they have become less approachable in the local community.
Local congregations, based on scriptural authority and relying upon the Holy Spirit, can reach out in places that pastors cannot. The age of CEO Christianity is sun setting, and while megachurches can make it happen by combining congregational enthusiasm with heavy budgets, most churches do not have the financial wherewithal to begin with ministerial hires.
As budgets shrink, and cause churches to contemplate closure, let me suggest a rebirth of congregational ministry. Engage in the work of the Church. Pray, study scripture, love your neighbors, instruct your children and grandchildren, tutor local children who are struggling in school, and engage in the work of the community.
I want to make sure that you do not think you have to do all these things, nor do I want you to do it alone. This is the thinking that got us into trouble in the first place.
In the summer months people tend to take vacations and engage in retreats. Often the energy of the Church is low from June to August, but during that time start praying and acting like first century Christians. As St Francis famously stated, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.” Sow gospel seed, do good works, and share good will among the people in and around your lives. Stop trying to convert people to a way of thinking and introduce them to the Lord and Savior that loved you so much that He died for you, and for them. Put aside your distinctions and differences and share God with everyone you meet.
You don’t have to have a seminary degree to share Jesus. You don’t have to be a doctor to care for people. You don’t have to be a lawyer to teach your children right or wrong, and you don’t have to be a politician to change your nation and the world.
Just be a Christian, saved by grace, filled by the Holy Spirit, and connected to the body of Christ.
Let’s have a summer to remember.
Pastor Dan
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