Biblical principles

Biblical Principals of Shared Ministry

In the New Testament we see that leadership in the emerging church was shared.

the apostles had a special oversight, because of their appointment by Christ
local leadership was corporate, a combination of those sent by the apostles (e.g. Timothy & Titus) and those appointed from the local fellowship (see Acts 14.23, Acts 20.17, James 5.14)
these leaders shared the overall responsibility and oversight of the whole life of the local church (see Acts 20.28-32)

In the church of today we might regard bishops as the successors to the apostles, with the clergy (and sometimes other licensed ministers) as those chosen and sent by them, working alongside those appointed from within the local church. The latter includes, of course, the PCC and Churchwardens. However, their responsibilities and roles are specific and demanding in themselves. It is a rare PCC indeed that wants, or is also able, to take on the day-to-day oversight and development of all the church’s pastoral and mission work.
For more on the theology of shared ministry see these helpful pages by the Revd Dr John Williams ⇒ http://www.jawil.com/articles.html