CHANGING MINDSETS FOR MINISTRY REPORT

Seven districts in the Midwest and Plains regions—including Illinois/Wisconsin—partnered to hold an online workshop titled “Changing Mindsets for Ministry” on Feb. 22, with about 80 people participating. The event featured Jeff MacDonald, a journalist and pastor from the Boston area, as keynote speaker. MacDonald is author of the book Part-Time Is Plenty, which examines positive aspects of the increasing trend of part-time pastors in congregations—something he said is now “becoming the norm." 

MacDonald examined some of these statistics and led the group in re-imagining how churches “should” look and how ministry can happen in a variety of models. He emphasized the need for empowering laity, partnering with colleagues and community, and engaging with the church's neighborhood along with more flexible roles in the traditional church structure and right-sizing church buildings. Some of the congregations represented have already moved to shared ministry teams or other models that more heavily involve lay leadership, while others are looking at those possibilities due to decreasing budgets and other new realities. 

“When we shift our expectations, what felt limiting can become liberating,” MacDonald said. 

The Church of the Brethren Ministry Office will be offering an equipping session related to this theme at Annual Conference in Greensboro, N.C., this summer. Titled “Many Hands Make Weighty Work Light: A Shared Ministry Model,” it will be offered on Thursday, July 3, at 8:30 p.m. Leadership will include shared ministry team leaders from Springfield (Ill.) First, (Illinois/Wisconsin District); Spruce Run in Lindside, W.Va. (Virlina), and the New Carlisle and Pleasant Hill congregations (Southern Ohio/Kentucky). Other opportunities to continue the conversation will also be sought going forward.