Pastor and People: Making Mutual Ministry Work
A Book Review

We often get calls to the synod office asking for tools to review the pastor’s ministry. In the past we have generally referred people to the Mutual Ministry Handbook which gives a list of review questions for both rostered leader and congregation. As synod staff we also use a tool to review new ministries after 18 months.

A new resource has just come out, Pastor and People: Making Mutual Ministry Work, which I would like to recommend. The book is divided into eight areas discussing the relationships involved in the mission of a congregation. The emphasis points to the need for all involved in the life of the congregation to tend to relationship building and conversation. In addition, helpful tools are given so that annual reviews are made which include the congregational church council, the congregation and rostered leader. Again, the emphasis is on conversation and how all are working, together, on carrying out the goals of the congregation for mission.

Often times, people will say that they get nothing out of “church” and then place the blame on the pastor. I usually bite my tongue because I want to respond with asking about the person’s understanding of their baptism. Were they not also called to go out and share the word of Jesus’ death and resurrection and the promise of new life given to all people? This resource provides congregations with a way to look at the whole of their ministry.

For example: the conversation begins by looking at the rostered leader’s Letter of Call, the congregation’s constitution and the yearly, planned strategic mission goals of the congregation. Questions are asked of the pastor about his/her conducting worship, pastoral care, etc. The congregational council is then asked questions pertaining to their understanding of their responsibilities of overseeing the administration of the congregation and seeking to involve all members in the life of the congregation, etc. All of this is not just a quick account of the facts of how many home visits have been made or how many funeral services were conducted in the past year. This provides time for conversation – a conversation that is guided and tends to the ministry but also involves all in the life of a congregation.

I recommend this resource if not for a ministry review but simply for a time in which the congregational leaders can sit down and talk about the mission of their congregation.

Pastor Cathy Schibler
Assistant to the Bishop

You can order this book online at Augsburg Fortress.