#28
We are talking about communication, telling the story of your Lay Pastors Ministry to others.
Have you heard the saying: “Doing business without advertising is like winking at a girl in the dark. You know what you are doing but nobody else does.” Paraphrase: Doing ministry without telling your story to others is like winking a girl in the dark. You know what you are doing but no one else does.
The “others” need to know what you are doing; they need a wink in the light. It’s the “others” who are potential lay pastors. It’s the “others” who are recipients of lay pastors’ care. It’s the “others” who need to know the importance of the lay pastoral care ministry God has raised up in your church. It’s the “others” who will be inwardly moved by the fact of lay ministry to follow God’s call to use their gifts in a specific ministry.
Your Lay Pastors Ministry needs a point person for communication.* This person’s task is to raise this important ministry to its deserved height of visibility. City, county and states governments pay thousands of dollars annually to communication specialists to promote a positive image among the citizenry. They do this by telling their story in newspapers, brochures and personal visits to organizations. Washington does the same. Business and industry also contract with specialists to communicate a favorable image of their existence to the community.
Your Lay Pastors Ministry needs such a person, someone with the necessary gifts (and experience if possible), commitment and passion for the ministry. The task of the Communication Coordinator is three-fold: Write, edit, produce and distribute a newsletter to the Lay Pastors.
Tell the ministry story to the congregation regularly. Communicate with other churches in your community, your region and the Lay Pastors Ministry, Lets expand each of these tasks:
NEWSLETTER: Once a month is the best, although many churches have found that bi-monthly or quarterly is best for them. The content should include (1) ministry information, such as upcoming meetings and events, (2) newsy items such as interesting happenings in the lives of lay pastors, (3) ongoing equipping articles, (4) writing on personal spiritual growth, and (5) news about the church. The official board members of the church should get copies as well as the lay pastors. As to size and length, most churches find the two sides of an 8 1/2“ x 11” paper adequate. Others are longer.
CONGREGATION: The means of communication are the Sunday worship bulletin, monthly congregational newsletter or paper, announcements at worship services (or skits, or interviews with lay pastors), and occasional letters to the congregation. Other creative ideas are mounting posters and/or pictures of lay pastors in strategic places; a booth at the church’s annual “Ministry Fair;” use of a web site; a skit or graphic report at the annual congregational meeting; an informational brochure of sheet for general distribution. Samples of brochures from other churches are available from LPMI.
OTHER CHURCHES. By phone or personal visit, establish a relationship with other churches in the area which have a lay pastoral care ministry. The people who led the ministries should meet occasionally to get acquainted, exchange ideas, be mutually encouraged and plan joint equipping and fellowship gatherings. You may be the one to take the initiative for such meetings. The Regional Director may assist you. The name and contact data for you Regional Director is available from Else Grundeland in the LPMI office. Communication with the LPMI office is advantage to you. An occasional article for the Network News will enable you to communicate the excitement of your ministry to others. Telling your story is a wink in the Your ministry needs a Communications Coordinator to do the winking.●
(Audio/Byeong) Dr. Melvin advised me “to make a regular newsletter”at the very beginning stage of this ministry about 15 years ago. Actually he has done this for over 15 years himself. The key word is regularly. He did it regularly for a long time. So I decided to make it and I am still trying and making a newsletter even 25 years from now, from LPMK Korea to up to now, Melvin University. Making a regular Newsletter is one of the important jobs for me as the National Leader and president of University. Interestingly, I found that I made the Newsletter myself, and later on the Newsletter led our ministry continually. That’s why Melvin strongly advised me in the beginning stage. Isn’t it interesting?
COMMENTS
in relation to A Wink in the Light
Aloto Anche, Nagaland, says:
Today, the Churches are busy in outreach ministry, which should be appreciated. But are they also taking care of their sheep? The Church should realize the importance of in‐reach ministry which is equally important as the outreach ministry. How good and complete it will be, if the Church teaches her members to‐ care with skin on.
PASTORAL MINISTRY: Pastoral ministry is a holistic ministry; it is not only to prepare a good sermon and pray for the members occasionally. Many have misunderstood in the past. Teaching (equipping) plays a very important role in pastoral ministry because through that, Christian values and principles are well imparted to help them recognize their responsibility. Teaching/equipping helps in shaping the spiritual destiny of the people in the church. Without teaching ministry in the church, the church will fail to convey the essence of Christian faith and Christian responsibility. Through teaching/equipping ministry it can create a context to awaken Christian faith. Faith cannot be nurtured only with sermon and prayer.
I thank God for enabling LPMI India to start a seminary with a vision to educate people with PACE. Our only intention to start a Seminary is to train Christian Ministers by providing accurate and timely information to prepare them with skills and strategies to face the world. PIS is sponsored by friends and well-wishers in Korea through the president of PACE international Seminary Rev.,Dr. Byeong who is also the National Director of LPMI Korea. The LPM India is under the Senate of LPMI USA and is committed to do its best to do God’s mission in His will. We welcome you to join and study with us.
PIS was inspired by Dr. Byeong the National Director of LPM Korea to serve the needs of the church with its motto “to equip the Saints”. PIS remains committed to the mission of the World fast growing churches, to train pastors, missionaries, church workers, theological educators and Lay Pastors.■
Byeong, Melvin University, says:
I found that to be a lay pastor, I mean to be a “real” lay pastor is not an easy job.
Most of the churches and one of our staff Rev. Jang developed the process of training and designation in the church. They said in this progress: 1) new member, 2) training, 3) disciple, 4) lay minister (we call it lay pastor).They put lay minister or lay pastor at final stage because church thinks they are prepared to be a lay minister.
Let me talk about lay pastor here. Usually they are matured Christians, that is why church and pastor recommend them to be lay a pastor. Yes, this is true. They are better than other fellow Christian, but how can they become a quality lay pastors; it’s just not that they are offices or designation, or even title. This is really another aspect than just naming itself. There are some qualifications from the point of my view.
Above all they should not be self-centered person. This is the first quality because most of us are tempted by thinking for ourselves which means we tend to be self-centered with conscious or unconscious. Of course this is not easy job to overcome in this kind of world today. Every people changed to be very self-centered life, selfish and unless they couldn’t survive in this tough world. Of course there are difference between self-centered and to be wise. To be wise is necessity for today, even though lay pastor shouldn’t be a self-centered. For instance, if they think God is so loved only to them than others, it might be a self-centered concept. We have to be careful to get this kind of mindset.
Secondly, it might be similar to the first one, but Integrity is the important quality. What is it? We have to be same inside and outside. But this is not easy quality today too.
In addition to those, we need self-disciplined. I don’t know what is that mean because people have their own strategy on self-discipline. Of course there are some qualities in the Bible, but is different viewpoint in terms of how individual might see it.
Anyway, to be a good and real lay pastor is not easy job for today, so only chosen person, I mean those who get spiritual gifted with disciplined people can do that.■
ADDITIONAL COMMENT
by BYEONG
Make it simple! I have heard for a couple of times that “Rev. Byeong always thinks too easily.“ This is true, and of course, it may have been so since my birth, but it is also true that it has changed that way later.
Now I think about it, and I tend to be deliberately simplistic. I think that’s what happened once I started LPM ministry more than 20 years ago. And I think it’s even more so in the process of establishing a university and now managing the University. Make it simple! This became my slogan all the way.
Why is it necessary to keep it simple? I’ve seen an article that “simplifying complex things is also an ability.” Some people make more complicated some matters which are actually trivial and simple. So those things get harder, waste energy on unnecessary things, and in the end miss that really matters.
Why do people fall into the trap of complexity! Do you think it’s sign of important being complicated? Is that problem really complicated? Is there a loophole in leadership? When leaders cannot simplify complex problems, people might be guessed as a lack of leadership. In thin case, those who trust and followers tend to become more complicated and finally fall into more in difficulties.
If so what does it mean to keep it simple? And why is it necessary to be simple? To sum up, a few things;
1 Accept the other person’s opinion as much as possible. People seem to be reluctant to come near if the leader is too stubborn. There are a couple of things that should not be ever changable. In the other cases, there is no big problem if it changes. In this time, there is no need to say no to opinions such as to do it tomorrow, to change the font sizes, or to change the image, etc. Accepting them is more wise.
2 It is to avoid a quarrel. When many people gather, they may disagree. I think it is wise to avoid those disputes because a leader does not have to be involved in such disputes. It is definitely necessary to share many opinions, but I often find it useless beyond that.
3 It is to make things wise. This is seen as a skill of leadership that processes as quickly and smoothly as possible. You’ll have to keep the process or the knot of work neat.
4 There should be a break shortly in the conversation. It often and used to makes us ask the same question and answer the same thing. I think three times is good for exchanging opinions. Question-Answer-Acceptance. Period! Some people try to drag it up to seven times. This is of no use.
Then why should we do this? The answer is simple. It is to do the entrusted work as easily as possible and within the deadline. It means that we don’t waste energy on unnecessary things, rather than doing anything just because it’s easy. Many things waste our energy and weaken our concentration. If we follow all this, the smile of failure will only wait for us.
멜빈의 평신도목회
멜빈목사님께서 평신도목회 (Lay Pastors Ministry)를 시작하신 이유는 이렇다. 우선 첫 시작은 성경 엡4:11-12절부터 였다. 개교회 목회를 세교회에서 하실때 이 본문을 다시봤더니 목회자의 역할은 “평신도가 사역을 하도록 준비시키는것(to equip the saints for the work of ministry, 12절)”이라는것을 재발견 하게 되었다.
미국에서도 4, 50년 전에 이런 얘기들이 학자들과 목회자들 사이에서 대두하기 시작했다. 그래서 “평신도사역자”라는 말이 번지기 시작했다. 목회자는 “구비시키는 자/Equipper”로의 패러다임 전환이 필요하고. 평신도들 역시 “사역자”로의 전환이 필요한 것이다. 이것이 12절의 주요 요지이다. 엡 4:11~12절을 다시 보면 초대교회 때는 교회 안에 5가지 직제가 있었는데. 그들은 전부 “평신도를 훈련/구비시켜 주님으로부터 그들에게(평신도들) 주어진 사역/ministry을 하도록 해야 한다는 것이 오리지날 성경/희랍어의 근본 의미이다. 이것을 재발견하고 강조한 학자들이 제임스케네디/코랄리지 장로교; 짐갈로우/Ph.D from Drew; 그레그옥덴/Fuller 교수; 폴스티븐스교수/캐나다 밴쿠버; 그리고 한국에선 김상복목사님이시다.
Dr. Melvin 목사님은 이 개념을 Calling으로 연결해서 강조하셨다. 평신도도 목회자들과 같이 100퍼센트 하나님으로 부름을 받았다는 것이다. 이것은 사실이다. 이렇게 되지 않은 데에는 목회자들의 책임이 더 크다. 목회자의 문제는 신학교 책임이고, 신학교의 문제는 교수들의 책임이다. 안수받는 목회자 양성에 급급한 신학교들은 목회자 위주로 커리를 만들고, 또 훌륭한 목회자 배출에 치중하기에 평신도와의 관계, 즉 how to equip laypeople to do their work에는 관심 가질 여유가 없었다.
헬라어 성경, 영어성경에는 위와같이 the work of ministry인데 한글성경에는 the work of service라는 개념으로 번역되어 ‘봉사의 일’로 개념화되어 100여년동안 평신도는 봉사한다는 것으로 인식화되어 오다가 최근에야 사역도 한다는 것으로 재정립 되었다. 2000년대 한국에서 멜빈목사님 자료로 컨퍼런스를 할때 옥한흠목사님, 김상복목사님께서 주강의을 하셨는데 이 본문의 제대로 개념을 한국교회에 알리고 강조하신 기회가 되었다. 특히 김상복목사님은 봉사의 일로 한글성경에 명시되어 있기에 성도들은 교회와서 청소하고 국수 끓이는것으로 임무완료라고 생각해왔다고 설명했다. 사실 2~30전까지만 해도 이런 인식이 교회안에 편만했던것은 사실이다.
성경본문은 에베소서 4:11~12절이었다. 11)그가 혹은 사도로, 혹은 선지자로, 혹은 복음 전하는 자로, 혹은 목사와 교사로 주셨으니 12) 이는 성도를 온전케 하며 “봉사의 일”을 하게 하며 그리스도의 몸을 세우려 하심이라.(개역한글). 우선 여기 한글에서 12절을 보면 교인들의 할일은 “봉사”라는 데에 못을 박아 놓아서, 교회에 와서는 국수나 끓이고 청소나 하는 것으로 인식되어서, 지난 100년간 그렇게 해왔다는 것이 김상복목사님의 말씀이셨다(2000.6월. 분당 할렐루야교회에서 개최된 “평신도목회 컨퍼런스”에서).
이렇게 된 주요 치명적인 요인은 한글 성경 번역에서 기인하였다는 것이다. 영어 성경들을 보면 두 가지로 번역되어 있다. The work of SERVICE; 그리고 The work of MINISTRY. 어찌 됐든 한글성경은 초기 선교사님에 의해 번역되었기에 어떤 영어 성경에서 따 왔는지를 나도 자세히는 모른다. 그러나 분명한 것은 The work of service라는 영문에서 그대로 번역한 것은 사실이다. 그러니 “봉사의 일”로 우리 한국교회에 100여년 전해 내려온 것이다. 이런 오류가 바로 고쳐져야 한다는 게 현재 성경학자들과 목회전문가들의 주장이다.
그래서 멜빈목사님은 목회를 접고 그러면 성도들이 무엇을하도록 준비시킨다는 것인가에 고민하면서 더 연구하기 시작했다. 특히 교회목적이 무엇인가에 초점을 맞추었는데 성경속에서 크게는 두가지더란 것이다. 하나는 전도이고(마28장), 다른 하나는 돌봄(요 21.벧전 4장) 이더라는 것이다. 그래서 미국 교회를 살펴봤더니 전도 다 잘하고 열심히하고 또 자료도 많더라는 것이다. 그래서 돌봄사역에 대해 연구하면서 평신도들이 교회안에서 봉사뿐만 아니라 돌봄사역을 하도록 훈련교재및 시스템을 구축한것이 평신도의 돌봄사역(Lay Pastors Care Ministry)이었다. 처음에는 이런 이름으로 시작했는데 얼마후 Lay Pastors Ministry로 바꾸면서 브랜드화 된 것이었다. 오하이오의 한교회에서 시작하였는데, 주위교회로 알려지면서 자연스레이 미국전역에 그리고 해외로 퍼져나간 것이다.
여기 케냐의 교회들에서도 목회자만 100퍼센트 Calling 받았다는 인식이 교회 안팎에 편만 하니 그것을 바로 잡아주는 것이 우리 대학의 사명이기도 하다는 것을 뼈저리게 느끼고 있다. 미래의 케냐교회는 현재의 신학생들에게 달려있기 때문이다.●