What things might your congregation wish to consider as it seeks to implement the concept of mutual ministry through a committee structure?

First, a caveat: the approach I’m about to describe may differ from how you have practiced or understood mutual ministry. Mutual ministry, as I understand it, is not intended to be a pastoral support committee in which members of the congregation return care for the pastor who otherwise cares for them.

Aspects of what I believe mutual ministry is are highlighted below. They can also be found in chapter four of Pastor and People: Making Mutual Ministry Work (Augsburg Fortress, 2003, pp. 44-61). Titled “Mutual Ministry,” this chapter provides a more detailed look into a possible committee structure.

Definition
“Mutual Ministry is a mission-oriented enterprise that is characterized by a broad vision of ministry and a healthy practice of mutuality” (p. 44).

Mission-oriented, not pastor-centered
This is about the ministry of the whole congregation, including the pastor’s, and is particularly, though not exclusively, oriented to how the congregation reaches out in its community.

Broad vision of ministry
All the baptized are called into Christian ministry. Ministry is shared, with disciples of various gifts and skills, inclinations and offices, playing different but appropriate roles.

Healthy practice of mutuality
“All God’s people ... are called to be engaged in mutual conversation and consolation for the building up of the body of Christ and for the sake of mission.... Such mutuality exists not ‘between’ the pastor and people but ‘among’ all the people, including the pastor. It’s mutual in the sense of being shared, working together toward a common goal” (p. 46).

Small group approach
A congregation will benefit from “a small group of people who work intentionally and intensively in ways the congregation as a whole cannot. The mutual ministry committee can concentrate on holding mutuality and ministry in creative communication, a kind of constant interplay....”

“Truly mutual ministry will be renewing for the whole congregation, including the pastor, and will be encouraging for everyone’s ministry. Truly mutual ministry will not serve either the pastor or the congregation, per se, but will always focus on the mission of the congregation” (p. 47).

This approach to mutual ministry is not easy; it requires both patience and a careful process.

To obtain Pastor and People: Making Mutual Ministry Work, contact Augsburg Fortress at (800) 328-4648 ($14.99, item no. 0806646519) or click on the link.

Rick Summy is the Director of Admissions at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and an ELCA pastor.