Names and roles

We need use only two words for those who take serving responsibility in a congregation, "minister"  (noting that the government 'minister' in UK and Australia, etc. is a minister, or servant, of the Crown.) and "deacon".

But neither as a rank.

Elders is also OK as it has biblical warrant.

So no more youth leaders, Sunday school leaders, Bible study leaders, etc.

Rather, I'd reserve 'minister' for a more general role and deacon for subsidiary ministry work.

So, with the senior minister, who is appointed by the elders to work full-time in equipping the church and developing people's skills, gifts and knowledge, there might be a youth/children's minister, and a minister for discipling (or coordinating minister), who would handle the training/equipping weekends (we call them 'Recharge' at our church) and maybe the Bible study and Christian training/pastoral activities.

All the subsidiary contributors, engaged in direct ministry and perhaps being developed for future ministry roles would be deacons. Youth deacons, Children's deacons or teachers, religious education (in public schools) deacons, or teachers,, etc.

Those serving in non-direct ministry or 'sustaining' roles, e.g. looking after property, catering, congregational enterprises etc. could be termed stewards. A large operation might have a 'senior steward', or 'steward-in-charge' to organize stewards and assistant stewards  for the various sustaining functions.

This gets us right away from a worldly conception of how we structure our congregational life.

The New Pastor (sic)

A recent podcast dealt with a question about "the new pastor"

I have a few thoughts on some topics raised

Altar calls: there are no altars in Christianity. We do not operate temples, nor do we have sacrifices, except Romans 12:1. We have gathering places: hall, shed, auditorium, churchery, eclesiasicum, etc.

For those interested in exploring Christian faith a choice of: discuss with someone (have this organized), a short series of meetings, say 3, or like Alpha course. Greg's approach also has merit, except I'm not aware of Jesus "paying" for our sins. NT words are, in my translation: died for, gave himself, purged, suffered for, put away, bore, propitiation, sacrificed, took away, washed us from, forgives.

Note our gatherings are of Christians and for Christians. The only teaching of the gospel per se would be to train people to tell others.

Sunday School is a must. Needs different branding. One congregation I knew had "team training". It could be called "Focus", for example. Coupled with small groups, this would be the heart of congregational life. The big gathering could be for a meal, song, prayer breakouts and a couple of shorter addresses.

BTW, song is not "worship". Worship terms are never used of Christian gatherings in the NT. Songs are for teaching and praise. The danger with making our gatherings or just songs "worship" implies that we've done our weekly duty and are off the hook for the rest of the week. Again Romans 12:1(-2).

Now, if I was taking up the paid teacher/serving role ("pastor" is a post reformation invention that is alien to the  NT and merely parrots the Roman priesthood, itself combining Jewish and pagan practices) here is my program:

1. A day convocation with church board members, and all who volunteer in teaching, pastoral and other direct ministry roles. We would discuss how we grow each other to Christian maturity; the teaching/training approach; the plan for Sunday Focus groups and how our gatherings are going to follow Paul's program for 'one-anothering' in 1 Cor. 11-14.

2. Do direct coaching/mentoring with 5-8 stewarding volunteers each year: those who conduct ministry functions in youth, small groups and training. Also regular meetings for coaching and support of all in direct ministry, such as small group conveners, youth, elderly and children's work.

3. Draw up a roster to have a meal with every family in the congregation...and small groups of single and solo members.

4. Develop community outreach: that is, going out into the community with gospel, care and support, with related training in faith conversations (Tactics and Street Smarts the texts).

5. Make sure everyone encouraged questions.