Isaac Newton’s First Law of Motion also applies to Lay Pastors Ministry: A body at rest tends to remain at rest, while a body in motion tends to remain in motion.
Dr. Melvin Steinbron understood this principle well. He observed that enthusiasm, commitment, and zeal are usually at their highest when Lay Pastors are first called, equipped, and commissioned. At that moment, they are in motion. Their passion is strong, and their energy is high.
The challenge is not starting the ministry but sustaining it.
In another of his monographs, Dr. Melvin wrote, “When the Honeymoon Is Over.” That title captures an important reality. Every new ministry begins with excitement, but after a period of time the initial enthusiasm naturally fades. The question then becomes: How do we keep Lay Pastors moving forward after the honeymoon ends?
I witnessed this firsthand at Samki First Presbyterian Church in rural Korea.
The senior pastor, Rev. Myungsang Kim, attended a conference at Hallelujah Church where I introduced Lay Pastors Ministry. Soon afterward, I visited his church and conducted a two-evening Equipping Seminar on Wednesday and Thursday.
After the Wednesday evening worship service, nineteen church members stayed behind to learn about PACE ministry. Each participant received a PACE Training Manual, and during those two evenings they experienced a complete paradigm shift. They discovered that every believer is called to care for others through ministry, not merely to attend church.
Their response amazed me. Just as Dr. Melvin described, their enthusiasm, commitment, and zeal reached their highest point after they were equipped and commissioned. Their energy was contagious, and Samki Church soon became one of the model churches of Lay Pastors Ministry in Korea.
Looking back, I believe two major factors kept that momentum alive for many years.
First, the senior pastor was fully committed to the ministry.
Rev. Myungsang Kim did not simply approve of Lay Pastors Ministry—he embraced it wholeheartedly. Later he joined the staff of the LPM Korea Institute, became a member of the National Leadership Group, taught in many training events, and even traveled with me to the United States to participate in the International Conference.
In many ways, Lay Pastors Ministry became the framework of his entire pastoral ministry. His leadership demonstrates an important principle: the senior pastor’s wholehearted participation is one of the greatest keys to long-term success.
Second, I consistently re-equipped the church.
As National Director, I visited Samki Church more than twenty times over several years. Every visit became another opportunity to encourage, re-equip, and strengthen the Lay Pastors.
The church also invited me to special events beyond PACE ministry, which deepened our partnership. Rev. Kim introduced me to approximately twenty neighboring Presbyterian churches, opening many new doors for ministry. As a result, Lay Pastors Ministry spread throughout that region and became established in many churches.
Dr Melvin sugested the four practical ways to maintain momentum:
Pastoral supervision
Regular scheduled meetings
Reports with meaningful feedback
Consistent affirmation
Samki Church practiced each of these faithfully.
- Pastoral Supervision
Rev. Kim naturally excelled in pastoral supervision. Today there are many opportunities to learn supervision skills, both formally and informally. However, Dr. Melvin’s explanation in Can the Pastor Do It Alone? (pp. 73–78) remains one of the best practical guides.
- Regular Meetings
Lay Pastors met regularly, usually every week. In addition, the Ministry Leadership Group of four to six leaders also met weekly to pray, solve problems, and encourage one another. Regular meetings kept everyone accountable and connected.
- Reports and Feedback
Reporting is essential, but feedback is equally important.
People eventually stop submitting reports if no one responds to them. The same thing happens with emails or text messages. When there is no reply, we assume the other person is not interested, and eventually we stop communicating.
In Lay Pastors Ministry, reports become opportunities for discussion, encouragement, and mutual learning. Like Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), sharing ministry experiences within a group allows everyone to grow through one another’s successes and challenges.
4. Affirmation
People need to know their ministry matters.
Whether privately or publicly, sincere affirmation strengthens commitment. Leaders should look for every possible opportunity to recognize faithful service and celebrate what God is doing through Lay Pastors.
Dr. Melvin also warned that once a Lay Pastor slows down or completely stops serving, it becomes extremely difficult to restart that ministry. Therefore, prevention is far better than recovery.
Every ministry experiences seasons of growth and decline, much like a roller coaster. Wise leaders recognize the warning signs early and help people regain momentum before they stop altogether.
Through my own observations, I have noticed what I call a “ministry cycle.” Many ministries seem to experience a life cycle of about six years—from birth, through growth, and eventually into decline unless fresh vision and renewed leadership are introduced.
Finally, I asked myself an important question:
How has my own enthusiasm, commitment, and zeal remained strong for more than twenty years?
I believe God has used three major sources.
- Dr. Melvin Steinbron himself
From the beginning until the end of his life, Dr. Melvin continually encouraged and challenged me. His books, lectures, friendship, and personal example ignited a passion in my heart that has never disappeared.
When I first encountered his teaching while teaching at Sungkyul University, God used it to kindle a lifelong calling. In many ways, Dr. Melvin passed his vision into my life. Without his influence, I could never have continued this ministry for so many years.
- His resources
Dr. Melvin developed outstanding ministry resources, including training manuals, leadership materials, and two major textbooks.
I translated most of these resources into Korean and later typed the English versions for use in PACE Seminary in Nagaland, India, and at Melvin University in Kenya.
Through years of translating, studying, and teaching these materials, their principles became part of my own life. They were no longer simply books—they became part of my ministry DNA.
- The LPM International family
The leaders of LPM International in the United States became far more than ministry colleagues. They became friends, mentors, and ministry partners.
Their encouragement, fellowship, and shared vision continually renewed my passion for Lay Pastors Ministry. God used this international team to sustain my enthusiasm and strengthen my commitment throughout the years.
Keeping Lay Pastors in motion is one of the greatest responsibilities of leadership. Starting a ministry is exciting, but sustaining faithful servants over many years requires intentional supervision, encouragement, accountability, and continual re-equipping.
As Paul reminds us:
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
May we keep moving until the work entrusted to us is complete.