The Responsibilities of a Ministry Specialist.--The ministry specialist shall assist in the total ministry of the local church in its nurturing ministries and in fulfilling its mission of witness and service in the world by: (1) giving support, guidance, and training to the lay leadership in the church, equipping them to fulfill the ministry to which they are sent as servants under the Lordship of Christ; (2) providing ministry within the congregation and to the world; (3) assisting in the administration of the temporal affairs of the congregation. The ministry specialist shall assist in the total ministry of the church universal by living a life of leadership and example that assists the laity to take up their calling to meet the needs of the sick, the poor, and the oppressed.
1. Ministering in the Local Church.--a) to share the word, assist in the worship life of the congregation, read and teach the Scriptures, and engage the people in study and witness.
b) To assist in the administration of the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper and all other means of grace. To deliver the elements of Holy Communion that have been consecrated by an ordained pastor to the homebound, the sick, and the dispossessed of society.
c) To give oversight to the ministries of the local church in which the specialist has been licensed, such as music, administration, education, counseling, etc.
d) To lead the congregation by teaching and example in a ministry with persons with handicapping conditions.
e) To be involved with the congregation in evangelistic outreach in order to win persons on profession of faith.
f) To counsel with members of the church and community struggling with personal, ethical, or spiritual issues.
g) To visit in the homes of the church and community, especially among the sick, the aged, and others in need.
h) To participate in community, ecumenical, and interreligious concerns and to lead the congregation to become so involved; and to pray and labor for the unity of the Christian community.
i) To search out from among the membership and constituency men and women for pastoral and specialized ministry.
j) To give diligent leadership in ordering the life of the congregation for discipleship in the Word.
k) To give diligent leadership, ordering the life of the congregation for servant ministry in the world through the following:
(1) The development of goals for meeting the needs of the sick, the poor, and the oppressed.
(2) Developing plans for implementing the goals and a process for evaluating their effectiveness.
(3) Selection, training, and deployment of lay leadership within the congregation to meet the goals.
(4) Encouraging participation in denominational and conference programs and training opportunities.
(5) Being willing to assume supervisory responsibilities within the connection.
2. Ministering in the World.--Through specific employment in a position outside the local church, the ministry specialist may be engaged in carrying the servanthood of Christ to the world. The specialist shall also be appointed to a local church in which the work of ministry shall be shared on a regular basis and opportunity for invitation to the congregation to be involved in this ministry shall be offered. The ministry specialist so employed shall also be involved in the life of the local church to whatever extent is possible and shall share in leadership of worship and in assisting with the administration of the sacraments on a regular basis.
3. Ministry specialists shall give an account of their ministries to the charge conference and annual conference according to the prescribed forms.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 23007-MN-339-D
1996 United Methodist General Conference