All Are Called to Serve: Lay Ministry Teams
Life in the Church, to which every Christian is called, is a permanent ministry in which the Christian serves God through the Church and serves the Church itself. ‘For the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many’ (Mark 10.45, cf. Matthew 20.28). This new principle, hitherto unknown to human society, was the basis of the Church’s life. In the Church, life and ministry are one and the same, because in the Church the Holy Ghost, by which and in which the Church lives, forms the principle of activity. Where the spirit is, there is life also, and hence action and ministry.
The whole of St Paul’s doctrine about the ‘the work of the ministry’ is based on the words of Christ quoted above. The work of ministry is incumbent upon all the members of the Church, but they do not all minister in the same way; they render service in accordance with the gifts they have received (I Cor 12.4-6).
– Fr Nicholas Afanasiev
In keeping with the Orthodox Christian teaching that “in the Church, life and ministry are one and the same,“ we are inviting all those who attend services at St. Paul to step forward in faith, join themselves to the heart of our mission, and take up their baptismal vocation as co-ministers in the body of Christ.
The basis of our common life in Christ is our communion in the Eucharist, our corporate prayer, personal ascetical life, and unique ministry according to the gifts we have received in the Holy Spirit. These are the three themes of our mission ‘rule of life’, our common participation in God’s mission to the world.
As we go forward together, proclaiming the Kingdom of God to our world—indeed, enacting the Kingdom in the world—there are various areas of ministry in which we can participate. For some people, their gifts are clear, and one or more areas of ministry are easily chosen, but if you are open to serving and unclear on how to do that, please speak to Fr. Adam to help you discern your unique ministry.
Discover more about the six areas of lay ministry:
Worship
The worship ministry includes those who serve in the choir, as acolytes, and those who help set up before and clean up after services. It also involves planning/scheduling services and reflecting on our liturgical life together, helping to increase worship involvement through congregational singing and full participation in liturgical action.
Hospitality
The ministry of hospitality involves not only welcoming visitors but also ensuring that our worship and other activities are accessible to and friendly to all, no matter their background, family shape, or circumstances. We provide visitors with information on our mission, worship, and the Orthodox Christian church and faith. This ministry also includes following up with those absent, coordinating fellowship hour, and arranging our mission’s social activities and excursions, like pilgrimages.
Teaching
The ministry of teaching encompasses adult catechesis (instruction of enquirers and catechumens, and ongoing Christian education) and instructional programmes for children.
Service
The service and outreach ministry focuses mainly on our immediate community, providing practical support to people. It also addresses other marginalised communities—people who are hospitalised or shut in, in hospices, in prison, etc. Delivering service activities will involve working in partnership with other Orthodox parishes and/or other Christian churches and agencies.
Stewardship
The ministry of stewardship will assist all mission members in understanding the utmost spiritual necessity of offering ourselves sacrificially to our Lord and serving His Kingdom. It will also coordinate fundraising to support our ministry activities.
Administration
The ministry of administration within our mission is naturally centred on the annually elected parish council (which, as with all ministries, must be led by core and fully committed members). Still, all members—especially those with a gift for an area of administration—are welcome to attend and consider serving in this capacity.