Talking Faith - why ministry is more than ministers

Having accepted the call to move to Mersey Synod before anyone had heard the name Covid, my plans were put on hold for various reasons. During those strange times, many of us realised that although we missed the church buildings, church was still happening, and it was happening in a new and exciting way. People who only occasionally attended church started to attend virtual church more often. They felt as though they were part of the church family rather than on the periphery.  People from the churches spent more time staying in touch with others from the church and with group leaders who use church premises, more than they ever did before.

Fast forward and we are now operating the buildings at a level more like was at pre Covid. People say “It is good to be back, doing what we used we do”.

I think what we have perhaps failed to grasp, is that going back is not an option. But we can build on the things that have shaped us. We can learn from them. Some of us are still bearing the scars of the last three years and trying to carry on with life.

Last year I was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer and had three months off work. I am still undergoing treatment which should conclude at the end of this year.  That has definitely shaped me and my ministry. The purpose of this background is to show that certain aspects of ministry were once seen as the domain of the minister. Over the course of the pandemic, pastoral care has improved across the churches with people being more pastorally aware of others’ needs. As we look at the changing role of ministers and the work they do, we are realising that ministry is something that we can all do, without calling it ministry.

We all have a ministry and although some of us don’t class what we do as ministry – but it is. By realising this, you can learn that ministry is not a word intending to frighten people. It is a word accompanied by action that we all do as part of our everyday lives. When we as a group of people work with others on community events and we talk to people who come to such events, not only is it ministry but also mission.

If you look at Paul’s letters to Timothy, you will read about the whole people who made up the early church and the roles they had to play. The church was planted by an apostle (which means ‘sent one’) and then left for the Deacons, Elders and overseers to manage the church and share the good news. It was not the role of the apostle to stay and do all the tasks. The tasks were shared out according to the skills people brought to the table. If you look at Ephesians Ch 4 verses 11-13, it talks about how we are called according to our gifts. I pray that we can all recognise our God given gifts and use them as he calls us - as the body of Christ.   

Revd Mark Bates, United Reformed Church minister of three churches in the Wirral.