Autumn 1998 Churches that send people into ministry People in theological education often notice that some churches consistently send people into ministry. Ronald Parker, former dean of enrollment at Pacific School of Religion, asked why. He didn t find clergy recruitment programs. Through collaboration with their ordained pastors, lay people come to see that they can lead and do ministry, and then want to push further.
People can be who they are.
Ministry is not stereotyped and authenticity is valued. There is room to explore. People are invited to think expansively and creatively. Education is taken seriously. Pastors challenge members with contemporary theological scholarship and demanding biblical study and awaken a passion for learning more.