Shared Ministry

Shared Ministry
Sharing Christ's Ministry - Sharing God's Love

An Invitation to Shared Ministry

What is Shared Ministry?
Shared Ministry is a new way of being church. It is based on a partnership between laity and clergy which takes responsibility for living out God’s life in a particular place.
The key features are:

Exploring what the Church is called to be and do;
Helping the Church to choose priorities;
Promoting the mission of the Church;
Enabling the congregation to develop its faith and discipleship;
Identifying and addressing the needs of the wider community;
Discerning and nurturing the gifts and ministry of everyone;
Considering what support and training are needed.

What are the qualities of Shared Ministry?
Shared Ministry:

Puts Christ at the heart of things. Through a commitment to prayer and learning together.
Recognizes, delights in and enables the ministry of the whole people of God as equal and full members of Christ’s body. Helping them to grow in confidence and develop the forms of service to which God calls them.
Is local, rooted and expressed in a particular parish or group of parishes. It always seeks to be responsive to the context - one size does not fit all.
Helps to focus our mission priorities. Encouraging churches to reflect upon where God is already at work in their communities and helping them to discern what sort of church they are called to be.
Links us with others in the Diocese. To gain strength and confidence in faith by sharing good practice and inspiring and encouraging each other.

How does Shared Ministry work?
There are 3 key steps:

1) Consultation is undertaken with the Shared Ministry Development Officer who will facilitate the PCC and the Incumbent to discover an appropriate expression of Shared Ministry in their local context.

2) A Shared Ministry Policy can take many forms. It needs to clearly express the fundamental principle that responsibility for and leadership of the Church’s mission and ministry is shared by all its members.

3) Working with a Shared Ministry Development Team which acts as a catalyst for promoting a new culture. This is a practical expression of shared leadership and development. It is also a model of prayerful partnership for the larger community of the Church. There are many possible forms of such a team but the key concern is to find one which is fit for purpose in any given context. The team is always appointed through a transparent process of consultation.

Why bother with Shared Ministry?
Because Shared Ministry can help people and parishes:

deepen their spirituality and prayer life;
grow more confident in faith;
take responsibility for mission and ministry;
discover new gifts or release hidden potential;
manage change creatively.

What do people say about Shared Ministry?

“The culture of discussion and prayer was a revolution…it had never happened before.”
“It really helps to grow the gifts of less confident people.”
“The SMDT has been amazing and transformative for the people involved.”
“Shared Ministry has brought us loads of ideas and energy.”
“The SMDT was the first time in many years here that I had actually sat down with lay people and talked about the parish.”
“The SMDT has stopped the PCC being all over the place by helping to set realistic priorities.”
“Our church is now more open to newcomers and more aware of their needs.”
“It has given me a better and fuller understanding of my faith and more confidence to talk about it.”
“It was a real Damascus Road experience for some of the members of the SMDT.”
“I have really learned so much through being part of the SMDT. I don’t want to come off it, but I will because I want others to have this experience.

So........
The invitation is about participation, joining in the journey.

If you would like to know more about how your church could be involved please contact:

   The Revd Judy Hirst
   Shared Ministry Development Officer
   Council for Ministry
   Carter House
   Pelaw Leazes Lane
   Durham DH1 1TB

Telephone: 0191 3348540

Email: judy.hirst@durham.anglican.org