Lay Ministry in 2026

Written By Ministry Forum

John’s reflection this week touches on something many of us are experiencing right now: the need to share ministry work more fully with others in our communities. This isn’t just because it’s necessary, though that’s often true, but also because it helps us recognize and trust the gifts already present in our congregations. We’ve talked about this in different ways since we started Ministry Forum, and it keeps coming up because it’s such a real and ongoing part of ministry today.

Below, you’ll find a collection of past articles that look at lay ministry from different perspectives. Feel free to explore the ones that resonate with your context.

As always, we’d love to hear from you:

  • What are you noticing in your context?

  • Where do you feel encouraged, or maybe challenged?

  • If there are areas of lay ministry you think we haven’t explored yet, let us know.

Your feedback helps guide what we do next!

Featured
Worship 101 with Anne Miller
Worship 101 with Anne Miller

We’ve had the privilege of working alongside Anne Miller over the past few months as she prepared to launch her newest resource for lay preachers and worship leaders: Worship 101: A Guide to Planning and Leading (out now!!).

Strengthening Lay Leaders in Seasons of Decline and Transition
Strengthening Lay Leaders in Seasons of Decline and Transition

When a congregation is in a season of decline, or interim leadership - it can feel overwhelming. Where should we start? What should we focus on? Is there any hope to turn things around?  These are big questions and we don’t promise to answer them in a single post, but the following might help shed a little light into a season of ministry that feels darker than usual…

Elevating Lay Leadership
Elevating Lay Leadership

When I was in Saskatchewan recently, I had some insightful conversations about lay leadership in today’s Church. It’s fascinating how the Church passionately aims to empower the laity in congregational roles, yet over the decades, we’ve marginalized these roles through ordered ministries like the Diaconate or lay missionaries. This has resulted in an over-reliance on ordained clergy, who are now stretched beyond capacity and dwindling in numbers…

Let Us Know
Let Us Know

Every week we’ll ask a question to the community. We hope you’ll provide your thoughts and insights and engage with other lifelong learners on this journey of growth and development.

Is the Future of the Church Lay-Led?
Is the Future of the Church Lay-Led?

In a recent episode of the Pivot podcast, the conversation dives deep into the vital yet often overlooked role of laypeople in the church. The conversation sheds light on how small congregations, often seen as burdens, might actually hold the key to the future of our denominations. The episode challenges us to rethink our traditional models, which have long centered on ordained clergy - now stretched thin and dwindling in numbers.

Addressing Pulpit Supply Problems
Addressing Pulpit Supply Problems

A common challenge that ministry leaders in congregations that find themselves without a minister - either temporarily or those who may never call another minister (full or part-time) - bring to our attention often is - Sunday Pulpit Supply. 

The Pastor-Less Church
The Pastor-Less Church
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