4. Commitment to be a Lay Minister

 

The fourth level is Commitment to be a Lay Minister.  Level IV is the highest level in the Discipleship Master Plan.  At this level, a disciple’s leadership is developed by giving him a team to minister and mentor.  The primary goal of a lay minister is to effectively train, disciple, and develop leaders using the four levels of discipleship while actively involved in various gift-based ministries.  

 

The New Testament teaches that the “priesthood” of all believers and every Christian, is a “priest” or “minister” for the Lord.  However, the apostle Paul adds that one is not a minister by title only - the person needs to reach a higher level of spiritual growth and maturity (Eph 4) and must be equipped to fulfill his role.

 

Lay ministers in the Discipleship Master Plan are the ministers of the church, not the assistants to the pastor.  This understanding is the key to Level 4. 

 

The ordained pastor assists, guides, trains, and mentors these lay ministers to do the work of the ministry and to edify the body of Christ as based in Ephesians 4. 

 

The goal is to develop every member to be a lay minister.  This level is not optional or a matter of choice.  Every member is guided to reach this fourth level.  This level is the key to perpetuating discipleship and to the multiplying of lay ministers.  This is what is missing in current discipleship models.  It will take time for the ordained pastor to disciple and build up the number of disciples and leaders.  Discipleship is the focus.