Small churches thrive with shared ministry

Synod of the Northeast Shared Ministries Consultation. Photograph by Phil Tom

Many small churches are thriving today because they share ministry, mission and/or leadership with other small churches. Once just a model for the rural church, shared ministry is becoming an effective approach for urban and suburban congregations as well.

Pastors, lay leaders, staff and members engaged in shared ministries from presbyteries within the Synod of the Northeast came together in Farmington, Maine, in late July. They gathered with the purpose of learning how rural and urban environments are similar and shape congregational cultures and ministries and identifying viable models of shared (team) ministry in rural and urban settings. This Consultation on Shared Ministry was sponsored by the Synod of the Northeast, Auburn Theological Seminary and the Mission at the Eastward. 

Mission at the Eastward (MATE), where the conference was held, is one of the oldest shared ministries in the country, serving small, rural communities in West Central Maine. MATE was founded in 1954 and today is a cooperative parish of eight congregations. The Rev. Scott Planting serves as Coordinator of MATE and as pastor to three of the Presbyterian Churches in MATE. This particular parish shares both pastoral leadership and community ministries that include Camp at the Eastward, North Parish Housing Ministry and a South Africa Partnership.

Also participating in the consultation was Ministry in the North Country (MINC), an ecumenical shared ministry in northern New York consisting of 26 congregations representing various denominations — Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Methodist, United Church of Christ, Roman Catholic and Baptist. MINC was organized in 1989 to serve its larger community. Rachel Roberts, the coordinator of MINC, also serves one of the participating congregations as a commissioned lay pastor. Unlike MATE, MINC does not have a shared pastoral staff team. MINC’s mission is community ministries such as a rural housing rehab program, food and emergency assistance for families in need and a gardening program.

While in rural settings shared team ministries have historically emerged and thrived within, more urban churches find financial, membership and staffing challenges pushing them to explore and develop this model of ministry. Four Corners of Faith in Port Murray, New Jersey is one such urban shared ministry. Four Corners of Faith was formed out of a conversation among four small congregations who were members of the Hackenstown Area Presbyterian Churches. These congregations had been struggling to survive, served by pulpit supplies and part-time pastoral leadership. After much conversation and exploration, and with the support of the Presbytery of Newton, the four congregations agreed to minister together. Each congregation continues to maintain its own session and building. A Cabinet with equal representation from the four congregations coordinates the shared ministry and mission. A year ago, Four Corners of Faith called the Rev. Barbara Smith to serve as its pastor. Two additional part-time clergy have been added to the shared pastoral staff team in the past year. The Rev. Smith said that the past year has been one of Bible study and discernment for the members of Four Corners to see where and how God is leading them to serve their members and their larger community.

Shared ministries thrive in many places across the country including the North Coast Presbyterian Parish in California, the Mountain Valley Parish in West Virginia, the Portland Urban Network in Oregon, the Presbyterian Pioneer Parish in northern Minnesota, the Greater Laurens County (South Carolina) Coalition for Christian Action and the Four Faith Parish in Sullivan County, New York. In other places congregations are exploring the value of shared ministries. For instance, Chicago Presbytery is supporting two clusters of urban congregations in their discernment process, and the Presbytery of Scioto Valley is working with several churches that have captured the vision of shared ministry. 

Many smaller membership congregations want to move beyond survival and maintenance. Shared ministry provides an opportunity for them to discern and live out God’s call to serve their members and neighbors with a broader vision and enhanced resources.

If you are interested in exploring this model of ministry and mission, the Small Church and Community Ministry office of the General Assembly can provide consultation and networking opportunities. We look forward to hearing from you .