Whether a congregation in rural, urban or suburban settings, a hospital or other chaplain setting, the minister is constantly examining how individuals are affected by decisions of the larger system. The Equipping Pastor is easy reading that examines complex issues of group dynamics. The minister is encouraged to examine their leadership style, the gift and natural bent of leadership that will be the normal mode of operation. The equipping pastor will continue to study dynamics of the congregation and adjust leadership style to fit the need of a given situation. Leadership needs to be dynamic, able to flex and maximizes potential of the whole.
Effective leaders are able to cause groups to rise above their perceived abilities.
The authors make the case that equipping ministry is mainly relational rather than programmatic ministry. It is critical for the minister to be viewed as building the ministry of the people. Successful pastors are those who are able to introduce and speak into the congregational vision and mission yet allow individual and creative thinking to birth new initiatives from individual members. Equipping pastors both walk alongside others in their mission as well as lead or show the way. Ultimately, Stevens and Collins are making the point that the equipping pastor s work is to mobilize the laity in God s mission.