We cannot avoid change in this ministry. Once we begin Lay Pastors Ministry or PACE, we must accept that some important changes need to take place—not only in our ministry methods, but also in our mindset, leadership, understanding of growth and maturity, use of materials and resources, and our own preparation.
Above all, this ministry is rooted in Ephesians 4:11–12, which speaks about equipping the saints “for the work of ministry.” This biblical foundation requires us to rethink the way we do ministry.
As pastors, we have often done ministry ourselves. We have visited people, cared for them, taught them, solved problems, and carried most of the responsibility. But from now on, our role begins to change. Instead of doing everything ourselves, we equip others so that they can do the work of ministry themselves.
There is a significant difference between doing ministry ourselves and letting laypeople do ministry themselves. At the beginning, the pastor may need to take the initiative. We introduce the ministry, explain its purpose, provide an outline, train the people, and guide them. But sooner or later, ownership of the ministry must move into the hands of the laypeople.
In the past, we did it ourselves. From now on, we equip them to do it. This is what we call a paradigm shift.
However, I have discovered that a paradigm shift and actual behavioral change are not always the same thing. A paradigm shift begins with the mind. It means changing our thinking from A to B. But changing our actual approach, leadership style, attitudes, and daily behavior is much more difficult.
Someone may say, “I have experienced a paradigm shift,” but if their ministry methods and behavior have not changed, then the paradigm shift has not really taken place. Real change is demonstrated by what we do, not simply by what we say we believe.
There is also an important difference between change and transition. Change may refer to moving from one place to another or adopting something new. Transition, however, involves the psychological and emotional process of adjusting to that change. Although this is not a perfect comparison for our ministry, it helps us understand that changing a ministry structure is not enough. We also need an internal change in our thinking and attitudes.
As leaders of this ministry, we must change both our mindset and our behavior. We are asking laypeople to change, to take responsibility, and to become partners in ministry. Therefore, they will naturally look at us and ask, “Have our pastors changed, too?”
This is one of the greatest challenges of Lay Pastors Ministry. People may accept change relatively quickly, but leaders—and especially pastors—often find it difficult to change because we have practiced the same ways of ministry for many years.
Therefore, paradigm shift begins with us. If we want laypeople to become ministers, we must first become leaders who equip ministers. If we want them to take ownership, we must be willing to release ownership. And if we want them to change, we must be willing to change ourselves.
That is the real meaning of paradigm shift in Lay Pastors Ministry.