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Ministry is the act of
serving. Shared ministry is what we* do to serve our
congregation and the broader community, individually and
together.
Each individual brings
unique gifts to contribute. *includes members of the
congregation, paid staff and ordained minister(s). ‘It’
happens in various settings across Canada. ‘It’ sinks in
that here one brings all of one’s self in the door on Sunday
morning.
‘It’ happens when
newcomers as well as long time members bring questions like
“what am I doing with my life” or “I wonder who else cares
about world issues like I do”, and they discover that others
are living those questions as well. ‘It’ happens also when
we recognize that each of us in our way supports and
nurtures those close to us in community. The ‘it’ is Shared
Ministry.
No one definition
encompasses all of what shared ministry is in various
settings, but the Shared Ministry Task Force of the CUC
Board has some hunches about how it might be working across
Canada. Please note that we aren’t talking about “the”
minister(s) of a congregation, society, or fellowship.
Shared ministry can be a small group in a lay-led fellowship
where purpose is clear and tasks are apportioned among all.
Shared ministry can be in
a large congregation where one or more ministers, paid
staff, and members work together as the purpose, focus, and
weekly life of the congregation creates an alive, vital
pulse.
Shared ministry is also
the sharing of resources, policy statements and services
that the Regions and RNGs (Regional Network Groups) are
creating with and by member congregations of the CUC.
Shared Ministry Task
Force - Final Report - June, 2005
Sharing Our Faith - Sharing Our Ministry - 2006 Worship
Packet (pdf version)
Sharing Our Faith - Sharing Our Ministry - 2006
Worship Packet (Word doc format)
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