What About Paid Church Staff?

Returning Ministry to the People of God — Click on book cover to learn more.

In his book, Unfinished Business: Returning the Ministry to the People of God, Greg Ogden shares an example of how a church bulletin lists paid staff. “Ministers: all the members of [church name]. Assistant to the ministers: the church staff” So often churches function the opposite with the paid church staff at the top and the ministering members below them. The above example, however, does the following:

1) It removes hierarchy of professionals at the top and laity working for them.
2) It puts the responsibility for ministry in the hands of everyone.
3) It makes it clear that paid staff aren’t doing all of the work.

Not sure about this? Reflect on verses like the following:

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, … (Mk. 10:42-43) — leaders as servants

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Rom. 12:4-5) — different functions but one in Christ

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Eph. 4:16) — everybody has a part

. . . should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. (1 Cor. 12:25) — everybody is important

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Pet. 2:9) — priesthood of all believers

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