Comments on: Guest Blog: Scott Williams

By: Wayne

Wayne — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 04:15:03 +0000

I hear what everyone is saying, but have one simple comment. We refer to the body being the church. This is a comparison to the sacred human body. Our body has members, hands, feet, toes, eyes, heart, etc. For years we have refferenced the body comming together as members of one body. Members is a critical word and has deeper meaning. May be old school, but.

By: Big Is The New Small » Friday Drive-by (11)

Big Is The New Small » Friday Drive-by (11) — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 18:13:40 +0000

[...] Get Rid of Church Members It’s a Bloggy Blog [...]

By: meet the lymans…and friends | foolishnotions.net

meet the lymans…and friends | foolishnotions.net — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 19:33:07 +0000

[...] It just reminds me of the fundamental most important thing I love about The ROCK. It’s not the leadership or the preaching (though solid in the Word of God and relevant to real people), the building or the technology (though we’re blessed) or the worship (though authentic and passionate). All those are just a bonus. The real jewel - the people. Not church members - ministry partners - - kindred hearts - - yeah, family. [...]

By: 5-Star Service 5 (of 5) at LifeChurch.tv : swerve

5-Star Service 5 (of 5) at LifeChurch.tv : swerve — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 12:08:01 +0000

[...] Businesses should never exceed the hospitality of ministries. We must be intentional. And we must train our members to see themselves as “unpaid staff�? or ministers to welcome those who don’t know Christ and invite them into our family. [...]

By: Tucker

Tucker — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 15:49:37 +0000

(Ephesians 4:11-13)
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God.”

“[E]quip the saints” is my motto for ministry. My job is not merely to minister, but to give the ministers the equipment they need to minister. That includes an understanding of the Bible, habits of prayer and spiritual disciplines, comfort at the funeral home or hospital, fellowship with students at the school lunch table, and many things in between. That is why the job description of a pastor, youth pastor, worship pastor, etc., is so difficult to precisely quantify.

Your shift in terminology is a fantastic suggestion. Thank you for that insight.

By: Thoughts of Resurrection Speedlinking «

Thoughts of Resurrection Speedlinking « — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 19:40:40 +0000

[...] What is the distinction between church members and ministry partners? Quality response at Guest Blog: Scott Williams from Swerve. [...]

By: [Kid Inspiration] - » No more Members

[Kid Inspiration] - » No more Members — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 02:20:26 +0000

[...] Scott Williams posts over at the Swerve.tv Blog. Should we get rid of church members and begin to develop ministry partners? [...]

By: Scott Williams

Scott Williams — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 20:18:08 +0000

Thanks Marcin, and everyone else who contributed!

By: Friday Thoughts at i am an offering

Friday Thoughts at i am an offering — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 15:54:30 +0000

[...] Along those lines, I think the quote above should read, “Partnership,” not membership. Check this out. [...]

By: MArcin Mizak

MArcin Mizak — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 06:30:59 +0000

If it is supported biblically (it seems to me that it is) I think it’s a great idea. Immediately changes the perspective. Thanks.

By: Scott Williams

Scott Williams — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 03:40:05 +0000

Anna- Thanks!

Juan- That’s right you are a “partner” and we are “the church.”

By: melissa

melissa — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 03:13:03 +0000

very well said Pastor Juan.

By: PastorJuan

PastorJuan — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 22:57:58 +0000

It would definitely make people see the contrast of a volunteer and partner, as it pertains to ministry. Its not something you do (volunteer), its something you are (partner). Like the difference of going to church and being the church.

By: Anna

Anna — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 18:33:30 +0000

Scott, This was GREAT! I totally agree! I hope we can begin to shift our people’s mindsets! We’re all in this together!

By: Scott Williams

Scott Williams — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 17:57:47 +0000

Kyle- I could not agree more, Disney understands that calling their employees cast members reminds them that they are part of the show. It has had a positive impact in LifeKids ministry.

Greg- Thanks for the thoughts, I am intersted to hear how the application works for your ministry.

By: Greg

Greg — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 16:19:02 +0000

Thanks Scott. As a pastor, words are my craft. I’ve been searching for some time for the right word to express ones commitment to a local church without perpetuating the consumerism that is so rampant in churches today. Your epiphany has become my epiphany. I cannot thank you more!

By: Kyle McClain

Kyle McClain — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 14:42:25 +0000

Scott,

Awesome concept, it reminds me of the way the early Church is described in the Book of Acts.

This also not unlike the concept Life Kids uses for their volunteers. As you know they are referred to as cast members, while this does have the word members attached to it there is a very different connotation associated with it.

This concept of cast members is discussed in detail in book called Inside the Magic Kingdom. I highly recommend it if you have not read it yet.

Kyle.

By: Scott Williams

Scott Williams — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:46:08 +0000

Melissa- Thanks for the post.

Terrence- I totally agree, It would have been helpful to have this perspective when I worked in the Corrections.

Phillip- When you talk about IT, that’s out of my league. As it relates to partners, I think that all partnerships require some intentional thought,as to what the relationship will look like, how you reach the mission…

Billy- I agree w/ the sematics comment. By definition sematics is: the meaning, or an interpretation of the meaning of a word. The thought is how to get “The Church” to interpret their role differently. There are tons of other ways, this is just one of them.

John- Great additional thoughts, thanks for the post. BTW, I like “Pastorpreneur.”

McCall- “If death and life are in the power of the tongue, there is definitely a weight to the words we use.” That says it all! Thanks for the insight.

By: Robert Davis

Robert Davis — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:06:16 +0000

Scott thanks for helping clarify a necessary shift that’s taking place on our campus. There were 2 comments that really have me thinking. Allowing “partners” to contribute to the vision from Melissa via Bill Hybels. Brians piece on members at Mosaic being “staff”. Now that’s one body with vested members.

By: McCall

McCall — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 06:16:40 +0000

It’s so amazing to me how simple words can completely change the way I think. Am I a spiritual consumer or a spiritual contributor? Am I a Christian or a Christ follower? Am I a member of a church or a ministry partner? Over the years, these questions/words have completely challenged and convicted me. I went from being a Christian that went to church and eventually “joined�? to being a Christ follower that contributes to the vision of leading people to become fully devoted followers of Christ. These words have inspired me to be intentional and to take action, not just label myself with a term that has no meaning to me. If death and life are in the power of the tongue, there is definitely a weight to the words we use.

As for Starbucks…..I’d have to say I’m a consumer!