Incorporating Lay Leadership into the Expository Preaching Ministry at Bethany Community Church, Washington, Illinois

Abstract

This research project sought to incorporate lay leaders in the preparation, evaluation, and application of expository messages at Bethany Community Church, Washington, Illinois. Chapter 1 introduces the goals for and an overview of the project.

Chapter 2 explores the relationship between the pastor and the plurality of shepherds from a biblical perspective. It considers the prominent teaching role of a single pastor/elder while also contending that all elders bear responsibility for the pulpit ministry of the church.

Chapter 3 examines the dynamics of teams and how they accomplish tasks, looking at several examples of churches seeking to incorporate teams into the pulpit ministry.

Chapter 4 details the actual carrying out of the project.

In chapter 5 the project is evaluated, concluding that the research project proved to be effective in incorporating lay leadership into the expository preaching ministry at Bethany Community Church in Washington, Illinois.