This book is the fruit of many years of ministry experience. Over the past decade, I have had the privilege of supporting more than one hundred churches through the PACE ministry. In addition, I have conducted numerous seminars, conferences, pastors’ gatherings, and denominational training events both in Korea and internationally.
Serving so many churches has taught me several important lessons.
First, it confirmed the necessity of lay ministry. Although our staff began this journey with complete confidence in the value of PACE and LPM, each church became an opportunity to verify that this ministry truly meets a real need. Again and again, we witnessed churches discovering that pastoral care cannot be carried by the pastor alone but must become the shared ministry of the entire congregation.
Second, these experiences developed practical ministry wisdom. Ministry is filled with unexpected situations, and every church presents unique challenges. Through years of serving different congregations, I gradually accumulated practical know-how. In many ways, ministry know-how is simply the ability to solve problems with biblical wisdom, patience, and love.
Third, I discovered the tremendous potential of this ministry. As I worked with more than one hundred churches, I saw not only that this ministry works, but also that it can continue to grow, mature, and adapt to different cultures and church contexts.
Finally, the ministry transformed me personally. I am neither a PACE minister serving one flock nor an LPM senior pastor leading a single congregation. Rather, God has called me to equip pastors, leaders, and churches so they can successfully establish PACE and LPM ministries. This role has required a much broader range of leadership skills than I ever imagined.
Today we have taken another significant step. Our ministry is moving from serving individual churches to developing a school that can equip future generations of leaders. I see this as a natural progression. Every new season presents new challenges, and every new challenge requires new leadership.
For many years I have reflected on my own approach to ministry. I eventually gave it a simple title: My Way.
The phrase reminds many people of the famous song by that name. However, I give it a different meaning. It simply means, “I will faithfully walk the path God has given me.“
My Way rests on four commitments.
The first is lifelong commitment.
I have dedicated my life to lay ministry. Commitment means continuing regardless of difficulty. The opposite of commitment is giving up whenever obstacles appear. Whatever challenges may come, I have determined to remain faithful to the vision of Lay Pastors Ministry.
The second is developing ministry resources.
Throughout my ministry I have continually written, translated, organized, and developed training materials. Today nearly thirty different resources have been completed or are in preparation for publication. These materials were first created for my own growth, but God has allowed them to become resources for research institutes, seminaries, churches, pastors, and ministry leaders around the world.
The third is maintaining a biblical ministry philosophy.
My ministry style includes my attitudes, lifestyle, values, worldview, and leadership philosophy. Together they continually confirm that I am walking in the direction God has prepared for me.
The fourth is preserving the original spirit of LPM.
Lay Pastors Ministry possesses a unique spirit. It is biblical, practical, balanced, life-giving, and committed to developing people. Sadly, many ministries gradually lose their original passion and purpose over time. One of my personal commitments is to guard this spirit faithfully so that future generations may inherit it intact.