THE PEER-LED MINISTRY MODEL
“We get you because we’ve been there and we’re just like you. Come for ‘church on the inside,’ the outside version.”
The Opportunity
The Problem The Way Forward
One way forward is to start with one of the other models and then add the peer-led model if/when a suitable leader emerges. Another way is for a peer leader to start an independent ministry and then affiliate with a church where the fit is good.
Building a ministry on an individual leader can be risky. People, including leaders, come and go. Finding the ”right” leader can be difficult.
Peer-led ministries of all kinds enjoy built-in credibility and authenticity. They also can be incredibly effective. A peer-led reentry ministry model can create a positive, self- sustaining reputation and increased impact.
This is one of those situations where it’s probably helpful to make a dis- tinction between a “ministry of the congregation” that may focus on one aspect or ministry need and the “congregation as a whole.” Some minis- tries will come and go, depending on opportunity, leadership, and available resources. Think of it as a continuum, with “congregation as a whole” on one end, representing the defining features, DNA, and beating heart of a partic- ular congregation. On the other end of the continuum is a gathering of con- gregation members who are focused on a specific need or a specific group of people, like a welcoming team or a youth ministry. In this Peer-led Ministry model, it’s important to clarify the goal and the vision. Is the goal, for example, to have a peer-led minister who can tell re- turning citizens, “There’s a special place for us in this congregation”? Is it to get to the point where that leader can say, “This whole congregation is by and for returning citizens”? Or is it somewhere in between? If so, where are the boundaries? Peer-led reentry ministry can take many forms. It may incorporate a sep- arate time and style of worship as well as semi-autonomous fellowship and
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