Shared Ministry

“God gives us everything we need; it is up to us to distribute it.” -Anonymous

What is it?

“Shared ministry lives out the affirmation that God calls all people to ministry. As members of faith communities, we are invited to serve together in a spirit of mutuality as partners. Working cooperatively, we strive to discover, develop, utilize, and support the gifts of each person and, as responsible stewards to participate in God’s ongoing creative and restoring activity in our communities and the world.”¹

Shared Ministry begins with the premise that God gave each of us unique gifts, and through our baptismal covenant we are called to share our gifts in meaningful ways both within and outside of the church. Shared Ministry also acknowledges that we all are ministers according to our gifts. Ministry is not just limited to those who are ordained.

“We are necessary to our specific community of faith, to the universal church, and to all of God’s creation” because of our unique gifts.²(See 1 Corinthians 12:14-19.)

What is Shared Ministry at Nativity?

Nativity adopted Shared Ministry in 2002 and strives to have it become just the way we do things. It can already be seen in many parts of Nativity’s community life, including:

• Gift surveys
• Shared Ministry Sunday
• Shared Ministry Counter
• Volunteer ministry training events
• Appreciation Sunday
• Thank you cards
• Ministry position descriptions

What are gift surveys?

Each of us has been given by God our own unique giftedness, including our personality type, interests, motivations, life experiences, skills, talents and our hopes and dreams. It is a lifelong process to discover these gifts, which can be discovered in many different ways. Gift surveys are one resource for personal learning more about your gifts. Gift surveys are not commitments to volunteer ministry positions. Gifts surveys are availableonline or as a paper copy at Nativity. If you choose to hand your gift survey data into Nativity, leave it in Anna Ostenso’s cubby hole. Your information will be entered into Nativity’s database and only used to let you know of ministry opportunities that arise that suit your gifts.

What can I do if I want to know more?

• Visit the Shared Ministry Counter on Sundays.
• Chat with a bishop’s committee member during coffee hour.
• Read Spiritual Gifts by Neal R. Boese.
• Contact Anna Ostenso, Director of Faith Formation at anna@nativityepiscopal.net