Ministries
There is no better way to grow into the Christian way than by doing ministry. By definition, an active Christian is a minister of Christ. The ordained Christian or the church staff worker has designated ministry responsibilities, including oversight of the ministries of the people of God. But all have responsibility to minister as they work out their faith in God.
At St Mary's, we firmly believe in and promote the ministries of the whole people of God. There is a place for you to minister in this church. We look forward to discovering where that place is for you.
Why do we assert this so strongly? There are various scriptures in the New Testament where Christians are challenged to be ministers, utilising the gifts of the holy Spirit they have been given.
St Mary's, as does the Wellington Anglican Diocese, takes seriously the challenge to equip church members by training them for ministry. A diocesan lay ministry brochure asks, and seeks to answer, key questions about how this might happen. For instance:
- What is lay ministry?
- Where does it fit?
- How parishes/churches can foster it?
- Sunday Services Presenting Roster Options
- Welcoming and Serving at the Door
- Audio - Visual (Data Projector, Sound, Video, DVD etc.)
- Music Ministry (Instrumental and Singing)
- Reading Scripture Publicly
- Offering Prayers (Intercessions)
- Liturgical Leader - Helping to Introduce the Service
- Prayer Ministry (Before and After the Service)
- Flower Provision and/or Arranging
- Crèche Supervision
- Break Out Leaders for under 5s (Leader/Helper)
- Break Out Leaders for Primary and Intermediate age groups (Leader/Helper)
- Morning Tea Provision and Serving
Many and various other opportunities to serve God in the other
ministries of St Mary's are indicated below. The list is not
exhaustive. You may feel called to offer a ministry that is not
currently provided. Normally this would be run past the Wardens and/or
the Pastor before you take it further.
- Other Ministry Options
- Prayer group/s and meetings
- Prayer Chain
- Pastoral Care
- Visiting
- Community Outreach Service Activities
- Home Group Involvement/Leadership
- Cleaning St Mary's
- Cursillo Group
- ALPHA
- Inter-Church Men's Breakfast Attend/Help
- Office work
- Maintenance
- Lawnmowing
- Glenbrook Home
- Marsden Services
- Children's & Youth
- Ministry
- Outreach within NZ & Beyond
- Fundraising - catering, wallpaper rolling, promoting Entertainment Books...
- etc.
As you will notice, the list is quite extensive. We are concerned to
share the load around. Please be pro-active in offering to serve in one
or more of these capacities. That way no one will be over-burdened.
Training will be provided, as mentioned above.
Finally, newcomers are especially welcome (indeed encouraged)
to join the Sunday service "presenting team" and/or the other
ministries that flow out of St Mary's.
