Dr. Melvin Steinbron wrote two important books: Can the Pastor Do It Alone? and Lay Driven Church. Each book is complete in itself, but when the two are read together, they create a powerful synergy. They are like two paintings that are beautiful individually but become even more meaningful when displayed side by side.
The first book, Can the Pastor Do It Alone?, is primarily a practical guide. It introduces the vision of the Lay Pastors Ministry, explains the PACE ministry, and provides step-by-step guidance for establishing the ministry in a local church. It is especially valuable for lay pastors and for those who will be directly involved in caring for people. In simple terms, it teaches how to do the ministry.
The second book, Lay Driven Church, was written primarily for senior pastors and church leaders. After many years of developing and leading the Lay Pastors Ministry, Dr. Melvin recognized that practical instructions alone were not enough. Church leaders needed a biblical, theological, and organizational foundation for understanding why lay ministry matters and how to create a church culture in which it can flourish and continue for many years. This book therefore helps leaders understand why the ministry works and how to build a church around it.
For this reason, I strongly recommend that every senior pastor read both books. The first book explains how to establish the ministry; the second explains the larger vision and leadership principles needed to sustain it. One emphasizes practice, while the other provides the theory and philosophy behind the practice. One helps with implementation; the other helps with leadership.
For lay pastors, however, reading Can the Pastor Do It Alone? is usually sufficient at the beginning. Its primary focus is the PACE ministry and the practical responsibilities of caring for people. When a lay pastor later becomes a leader or coordinator of the ministry, it is helpful to read Lay Driven Church to gain a broader theological vision and a deeper understanding of church leadership.
Reading these two books together gives us a much fuller picture of the Lay Pastors Ministry. One equips the hands for ministry; the other equips the mind and the church for ministry. One helps us know what to do; the other helps us understand why we do it and how to sustain it.
That is the synergy of Melvin Steinbron’s two books: one teaches us to do the ministry, and the other teaches us to build the church culture that makes the ministry possible. Together, they provide something far greater than either book can provide alone.