October 21, 2007

 

Celebrating Our Shared Ministry

If someone were to ask you, “How many ministers do you have at your church?”; what would

you tell them? Would you tell them, “Just one, right now”? Or would you stop to count the

number of people who compose the paid program staff? Or would you remember what The

Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church says: “All members of Christ’s universal

church are called to share in the ministry which is committed to the whole church of Jesus Christ”

(pp 220).

Our Book of Discipline goes on to explain: “each member of The United Methodist Church is to

be a servant of Christ on mission in the local and worldwide community. This servanthood is

performed in family life, daily work, recreation and social activities, responsible citizenship, the

stewardship of property and accumulated resources, the issues of corporate life, and all attitudes

toward other persons. Participation in disciplined groups is an expected part of personal missipn

involvement. Each member is called upon to be a witness for Christ in the world, a light and leaven

in society, and a reconciler in a culture of conflict. Each member is to identify with the agony and

suffering of the world and to radiate and exemplify the Christ of hope.”

This Sunday we celebrate the ministry of the laity. Some of our “ministers,” who usually sit in the

pews, will be leading worship; while those who are usually up front, step aside briefly, so that all

of us can affirm, “There is but one ministry in Christ, but there are diverse gifts and evidences of God’s

grace in the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:4- 16)” (BOD, pp. 129).

We are honored to have Paul Newsome with us this Sunday. A member of St. Luke UMC since 1967,

Paul has served the church in many ways, including several terms as President of Methodist Men of

Muscogee. He currently serves as a Lay Member of the South Georgia Conference Board of Ordained

Ministry and the Conference Board of Trustees.

As more of our members claim their part in the niriistry of our church, we grow more and more

extraordinary.