Coaching 'every member is a minister' in a local congregation: A 21st century model

This paper explores a strategy for leverage systemic change in order to facilitate the ministry of all Christians. "Every member is a minister" is a phrase most modern day churches have as a part of their doctrine, few fully experience as a reality. The thesis is grounded in the postulation that many churches emerged from the modern era with a lack of understanding of the New Testament concept of the laos as the called equipped, people of God.; The paper begins with an in-depth exegesis of several passages of scripture that were central to the identity of the New Testament church. Building upon that groundwork, the paper outlines the "True Colors in May" initiative that was developed and used in the Kingswood United Methodist congregation as the project phase of this Doctor of Ministry program. The project included a coordinated sermon series, Sunday school curriculum and focus group experience that were designed to educate and facilitate the congregation in the understanding and practice of "every member as minister."; One of the key features of the project was a resource called "The True Colors Prism" which provided the congregation with a series of assessment tools to help discern their individual spiritual gifts, graces, and passions for ministry.; The paper also addresses the systemic challenges a church seeking to transition from a hierarchical model of ministry to an "every member as a minister" model. Drawing upon systems theory the paper suggests a system of organizing a church council that will facilitate a change in the role of the clergy and program staff from conducting and micromanaging ministry to challenging, enlisting, training, placing, nurturing, and supporting volunteers who do the ministry.