Mutual ministry--sometimes also called total ministry, common ministry, shared ministry, or circular ministry--is a different way of viewing ministry within the local church, the wider Church, and the world. Instead of a church being centered around its clergy, the church operates out of the community that worships, serves, and lives together. All—lay and ordained alike--share in the development and work of the community, depending on the needs and gifts of the community. Thus, the practice of mutual ministry takes a wide variety of forms throughout the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Communion, and the greater Church.
Within the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, a worshiping community that references itself as a mutual ministry parish generally is one that looks to a team of members of that parish—a mutual ministry team—to lead and companion the parish. That team of members comes from within the community to serve as leaders and companions in encouraging leaders within the community and in guiding the church’s education, worship, outreach, and other operations. All members are acknowledged as gifted by God and are encouraged to use their gifts to serve the community. Mutual ministry team members are those members who feel called to serve the community and covenant to do so, using their God-given gifts in accordance with their callings.
Most mutual ministry team members serve their communities in ways similar to how they served before they entered the discernment and formation processes. A person is called to use one’s gifts, and those gifts generally align with how he or she served in the past and is called to serve in the future. A primary difference is that those who are called to mutual ministry support team service wish to receive the diocesan and local training and support to do so effectively.
Mutual Ministry and Vitality
A parish discerning its call to mutual ministry should remember that, although limited finances might trigger that discernment, mutual ministry is a “healthy” viable ministry. It is NOT “a way to keep the doors open” or even “church by committee.” It is not a bandaid for fixing a struggling parish. For mutual ministry to operate effectively, shared ministry is required. Ministry Of All the Baptized (MOAB) is required. The people must share responsibility and accountability for the parish’s life and operations.
Mutual ministry offers special flexibility. Rather than being centered around clergy selected and hired by parish leaders, the parish looks to those who love and care about the parish to grow and nourish the church’s ministry. The parish recognizes and taps into the members’ gifts, building and growing community through the sharing of gifts. Mutual ministry offers community-centered worship and service, with parish life rising up from its people. All are members of the body of Christ, ministering to each other and in the world. Mutual ministry is evidence of MOAB at work.
Committees and Teams
Mutual ministry operates based on a shared, team approach. It is NOT ministry by committee. While committees function based on similarities of gifts, teams operate based on discovering, growing, and “mining” the members’ gifts. Teams focus on the future and are purpose-driven, not agenda-driven (like committees). Teams also grow out of the community within which they are based.
Committees look at alternatives from the varied perspective of their member and arrive at solutions by vote, consensus, or agreement. Teams operate based on the appreciation of varied gifts, with team members assuming different roles based on their various gifts.
Committees are decision-focused. Teams are action-driven.
Committees operate as an inward-focused circle, while teams focus on achieving an objective that is outside the group itself. Team are unified around solving problems, creating a product, or service outside their members. The team seeks to achieve objectives that are greater than the objectives of any one or more members.
