I was interested to read a comment by Archie on the trend toward the 'professionalisation' of ministry - that is, more and more ministry being done by paid staff rather than the congregation (the “laity”, as they are traditionally called).

This trend (and I think it is probably true) is a bit hard to understand.

“Empowering the laity” has been a major catch-cry in our churches for at least 20 years. So, what’s gone wrong? Well, perhaps it’s that while everyone approves of the theory, many are stumbling when it comes to the practice.

When I first began managing people at work, I asked a successful senior manager to suggest some books on the subject. He told me he’d never read any management books, or go on any management courses.

He had two pieces of advice, which underlay his whole management philosophy. First, treat people with dignity and respect. Second, trust that people know how to do their job - don’t micro-manage them. These ideas have proven to be excellent advice - and I think they are very relevant to ministry too.

When my pastor asked me to take over our music ministry, he said, “I’m not going to tell you how to run it, and I’m not going to interfere. Please know that you have my complete support, and if you need my help in anything, you just need to ask.”

He’s been as good as his word, and I’m very appreciative of this. Indeed, I can say that I’ve probably put in twice as much effort as I would have if he’d taken a controlling approach. Actually, I simply wouldn’t have taken on the ministry in those circumstances.

There is nothing new or original in these ideas, I know. But it can be hard.

Empowering someone else actually involves giving up some of my own power. And that’s risky - they might fail, or they might succeed in a way that I don’t quite like. Yet it is the only option for pastors who don’t want to end up running everything themselves. And it is the only way to really get the best from those you are leading.