Throughout most of its history the church has been composed of two types of people – those who “do” ministry and those to whom it is “done”. Exploring the theological, structural and cultural reasons for treating laypeople as the objects of ministry, R. Paul Stevens challenges the idea that a select few are called to minister to others and argues that the clergy-laity division is not only biblically wrong but practically counterproductive.
Basing his provocative argument on Scripture, Stevens shows that “calling” is first and foremost to someone before it is to do something. It is a call to salvation, a call to holiness, and a call to service issued to God’s people corporately and individually. It is not means of identifying leaders and giving them credibility. All believers are called to participate in God’s mission to the world, and Stevens here encourages Christians to rediscover what it means to live as the people of God in everyday life.
This perspective has serious implications for our understanding of ministry and demands the revision of existing attitudes and practices in many churches and theological institutions. For too long people’s daily lives have been separated from the communal life of the church. Effectively eliminating “the laity” as second-class citizens in the church, Stevens argues that churches instead need to recognize, support and equip people for ministry in their homes, workplaces and neighbourhoods.
This book is for anyone interested in what the Christian life holds for the other six days of the week.