Pastoral Ministry Support

What is mutual ministry anyway?

If you thought that only pastors engage in ministry in a congregation, guess again. It’s team work. The people of God working together to praise, serve, and witness to Jesus Christ. That’s the basis of all effective congregational ministry - pastor and people, together. It’s a dynamic, but complicated relationship. Just like any relationship, it needs to be tended and clearly defined in order to grow.

How do you go about examining the roles and expectations that pastor and people have of each other? How does a pastor balance caring for self while caring for the congregation? What personnel and tax issues pertain to clergy? It can get confusing, to sort through the issues while keeping focused on the faith journey that we share. Thankfully there are resources that can help do just that.

Pastor and People: Making Mutual Ministry Work is the latest installment in the Augsburg Fortress Congregational LEADER Series. The book itself is a work of "mutual ministry," representing a collaboration between the ELCA Division for Ministry and the Division for Congregational Ministries. Each chapter is written by a different author, all experienced in leadership dynamics and support. You’ll find a variety of tools to help you examine, define, and strengthen your relationship as pastor and people.

This chapter looks at the peculiar demands of the role of pastor. It also offers an opportunity for clergy to identify their needs. Resources are suggested to strengthen a pastor’s relationship with God, family, colleagues, congregation and beyond.

• Look at the Table of Contents*
• Read a brief excerpt of the chapter on Pastoral Ministry Support by RevWriter Sue Lang:   Excerpt*
  (The table of contents and excerpt files listed above are in PDF format - Adobe Acrobat Reader required. (Free download.))
  
• Order "Pastor and People" directly from Augsburg Fortress Publishers.
• Review the books in the Congregational LEADER Series.
• Contact RevWriter to speak with your congregational leadership or small group.

  * Reprinted by permission from PASTOR AND PEOPLE (Congregational Leadership Series) copyright © 2002 Augsburg Fortress.