Laymen in the Ministry

by Tim Stout

Most pastors would agree that laymen can accomplish far more than the pastor himself because of their connections with family and friends outside the church. Every Christian is to be a lay minister—ministering to the needs of others with the Word of God through the local church. Just as the Great Commission is for all believers, so is the call for all believers to minister.

In his book On Being a Servant of God, Warren Wiersbe said, “Ministry takes place when divine resources meet human needs through loving channels to the glory of God.” In other words, God has called all of us into His ministry!

Paul instructed Timothy regarding training laymen. In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul said, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

What is a layman to do? They are to be a part of the church ministry team. My goal is to Teach, Equip, and Assimilate members into Ministry (TEAM). Leaders are to teach, stir, motivate, and inspire laymen to accomplish what God desires them to do.

For a long time, it was difficult for me to relinquish responsibilities and learn to delegate. When I finally understood that God wanted laymen in the church to participate in ministry and serve for His glory, everyone benefited. God used them, and I had more time to do what I needed to do. What a novel idea.

Our church provides a great example of “laymen in the ministry.” Each week, a group of men meets to pray for the needs of our church family while others visit shut-ins. Many of these men and women visit the hospital where church members and attendees face sickness and surgery. This enables the pastor to have the time to study, minister the Word, and pray. This proves to be a great example of an Acts 6 program.

Various church ministries provide opportunities for laymen to worship, work, witness, and grow in their faith in Christ. Ministries at our church give members opportunities to involve themselves in Christian service. It is a blessing for the laity of our churches to pray, support, and help their ministers and missionaries. Some of the ways in which our ladies minister include:

• Providing gifts to the Missionary Provision Closet.
  

• Sending cards (gift cards, too) to missionary wives.

• Giving a gift to a guest evangelist’s wife in appreciation of the sacrifice she makes while her husband is away from home preaching.
  

• Providing fellowship, meals, and assistance when a person is sick or recovering from surgery.
  

• Helping in the church office when the workload gets heavy.
  

• Sending cards or calling people who have specific needs.
  

• Providing food for bereaved families.
  

Men help in many ways, too. They travel to mission churches and donate labor to build, repair, and complete projects that need to be done. It is amazing how an electrician, HVAC professional, or plumber can benefit a mission church.

They buy gifts for evangelists and missionaries preaching in our church. Some pastors (and churches) may forget that most evangelists and missionaries are not honored on Pastor Appreciation Day or special days such as birthdays and Christmas. They need encouragement, too.

Our teens participate in spiritually challenging mission trips each year. They are motivated by leaving their everyday routines to travel to different churches where they see how needy the world truly is. They return from these trips excited and looking for opportunities to do more in the local church and community.

Vision and enthusiasm drawn from these trips truly impact our teens, encouraging them to help with work around the church such as collecting food for the needy, volunteering at the local Food Bank, and many other projects.

What an opportunity! Many pastors keep a schedule that is so busy they can’t afford the time to step away from their own ministries. Yet they can train men and women in the church family to minister to others. When a pastor thinks of others, that shines through to his congregation, and they often catch that same attitude of giving, compassion, and concern.

Whether it is the elder teaching the younger (Titus 2) or members working together to encourage and edify (Proverbs 27:17), God has a special place for laymen. It is important that each member find his place in the “family—the body of Christ” and contribute as God leads and blesses.

It is a joy for a pastor to pray for the church family, their needs, and petitions and know, in turn, that laymen are also praying for the pastor, that he will trust the grace of God and be spiritually blessed, minister effectively, and follow God’s calling.

Thank God for lay ministers within His Church. Our church could not exist without them.

About the Writer: Rev. Tim Stout pastors Heritage FWB Church in Columbus, Ohio. He serves as a member of the Home Missions Board.