In my bookshelf sits a lovely book. Its title is: “The Pastor and His People”. It gives practical instructions for the clergyman on how to conduct his ministry. It is clear, concise and thoughtful. It is also 50 years old. Ministry has changed a great deal in those 50 years. Not only are there now clergywomen as well as clergymen, but the expectations which are being brought to most pastors on a daily basis are growing evermore complex. How a pastor best spends his/her time is no longer as clear as it was 50 years ago. For starters, there are now many divergent views of what worship should look like. And then there is the internet which is both a great tool as well a great consumer of time: e-mails need to be answered, and communication has to be kept up to date. Other tasks remain similar to what pastors did 50 years ago: preparing weekly sermons; visiting the sick and homebound; connecting with newcomers; instructing children, youths, and adults in the faith; planning worship and special events; training leaders; preparing for weddings and funerals; helping the congregation to discern its mission; providing pastoral care and counseling; engaging in acts of social justice; supervising staff; carrying out administrative tasks and record keeping; participating in parish and synodical events; connecting with other Lutheran ministers; and connection with local clergy of other denominations; keeping up-to-date with current theology. Clearly, all of these tasks are important. But are they equally important? And who decides which are central and which are less so? In many instances I have a good sense of what you expect from me as your minister; I also have a sense of my call from God and my responsibility to the Lutheran Church. All these help me order my priorities and my days. But occasionally I am not sure. Occasionally I need to ask someone: What do you think? And that’s where the Mutual Ministry comes in: a group of trusted and faithful leaders who gives me guidance and insight. They (Chelsea Mathis, Michael Flanagin, and Barbara Malaspina) are here for me – but they are also here you. After all, it is your ministry to which I have been called. Therefore I hope you will take a moment and acquaint yourself with the outline of the Mutual Ministry tasks found below.

Together in Christ,

This information was taken directly from the workbook Mutual Ministry Committee; A Vision for Building Up the Body of Christ, which is a publication of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

Mutual Ministry is the “caring for those who are our servant-leaders.”

It is also “the equipping and supporting of all baptized members so that they can, in turn, carry the gospel into the world and into the church.”

It developed from the idea of what Luther referred to as the “mutual conversation and consolation among Christians.”

Why another committee? Because God has entrusted the Gospel to earthen vessels, and vessels like you and me require some intentional care: some refilling, some renewing, some refreshment in the midst of busy times.

Our Purpose Affirming and strengthening the mission of the congregation and the ministry of the staff is the primary purpose of a Mutual Ministry Committee.

This is done not through programs but through:

• Listening and clarifying
• Sharing and communicating
• Reviewing and reflecting

Many congregations have been working with some form of a Mutual Ministry Committee for two decades or more. Out of these years of experience, congregations have reported these benefits:

• Developed open communication about the expectations, attitudes, and concerns within the congregation, the community, and the staff;
• Were able to identify early warning signs of misunderstandings;
• Became a “Listening Post” for pastor and people;
• Served as a group where the pastor and staff could test new ideas;
• Were a “sounding board” in time of personal, professional stress;
• Planning continuing education that benefitted both the mission of the congregation and the ministry of the staff;
• In some congregations these items are also handled by Mutual Ministry. At CGS, we have a separate committee (the Personnel Committee) that handles them:
  • Conduct annual review and affirmation of staff
  • Each year assess the working conditions, compensation, housing, benefits, etc., provided for the pastor and other staff.

From past experience, congregations have learned some important matters related to how a Mutual Ministry Committee might best function. First, it is clear that a Mutual Ministry Committee should not be the congregation council. Council members are elected in light of fitness for overall guidance of parish life rather than being selected for this special task. Second, the committee should be selected by president and pastor, not elected by the congregation, with the appointments ratified by the congregation council. Third, never should the group selected be simply an informal gathering of “friends of the staff.” All this means that a Mutual Ministry Committee should be intentionally selected as prescribed and held accountable to the congregation council.

The ELCA approved Model Constitution for Congregations suggests ‘`A Mutual Ministry Committee shall be appointed jointly by the president and the pastor” (C13.04). In most cases this means that the president and the pastor/called leader suggest names to the congregation council who formally approve the committee each year. In this way, the committee becomes officially related to the council and reports in the same manner as do all other committees.

The committee should reflect the age, race, gender, and economic composition of the congregation and the community. Committee members should be persons who are committed to the vision of our whole church, the mission of the congregation, and the ministry of the staff.

Normally, the pastor/called leaders are full members of the committee. Also, it is important to have a designated liaison with council for regular reporting and channeling of recommendations.

Past experience has taught us another lesson - a Mutual Ministry Committee must have a clear understanding about accountability and reporting.

1. To the congregation council

As a committee of the council, the Mutual Ministry Committee should report regularly to the congregation council. Unless so authorized in the congregation constitution or by specific council action, the committee does not set policy, salary, etc. Instead, recommendations are developed and forwarded to the council, or other committees, for final approval. Recommendations about annual salary, benefits, specific duties for the coming year which are part of the “Definition of Compensation, Benefits, and Responsibilities” form used in the annual review, are forwarded to the council or appropriate committee.

2. To one another

Committee members must remember that they are accountable to one another for maintaining discretion or confidentiality when personal information is shared during a meeting. This commitment and understanding regarding confidentiality is essential. From time to time certain information may be shared during a meeting that cannot be shared outside the group unless permission is clearly given by the one who has shared it. An important part of mutual ministry is how we handle sensitive information.