In the parish

Shared Ministry in the Parish

There are, of course, many types of ministry. For most people, most of their time, and therefore most of their Christian ministry, is outside the gathered church (in places of work, leisure and, of course, at home). People minister (serve) in their families, in their places of work and leisure, in community and charity activities, and so on. There are also many church-based ministries in which people are involved. For example, distributing Communion, visiting the sick and bereaved, leading worship in school, leading study groups, children’s groups, women’s groups, and much more. There are also activities that you may not immediately think of as ministry, such as arranging the events that support the church financially and build up its social life.

All this - and more - is Christian ministry, and the work of the church (at least, most churches) is thus rightly shared among its members, every one of whom has a God-given part to play within the body of Christ.

The diocese has a variety of courses and programmes to help churches develop Shared Ministry.