All Member Ministry - 'free range'

One of the most interesting all member ministry models I come across is the 'free range' congregation model!

The members of the church, fellowship or gathering are encouraged to take up, and act upon, any project or activity that God lays on their hearts. All the members need to do is identify the need and full support is given.

At first hearing this sounds like the ultimate in laid back, facilitative leadership. Not a hint of top-down, Father knows best, leadership here. In fact there is in a 'worst case' model, sadly, little or no leadership present and what we really have is a form of anarchy. But it is popular anarchy in that it attracts people who have been subject to strong, firm or directive leadership in the past.

Where I encountered the worst example of this, the attitude was that if it was of God, it would fly, and if not then it would fall. The problem was that some fell because aside from good intentions there was little in the way of training, equipping or management from the dog-collar.

The church had a buzz to it and the people were all active and engaged and there were many success stories, but just as many failures (mainly untold) too! A great model if you have people who can withstand the pain of failing (although failing wasn't a problem here) and you can pay the parish share and afford the many projects.

A good model if there is lots of prayer, support for those engaging and a leadership with the mindset of venture capitalists. A dangerous model if you don't have a church full of professional or mildly able 'go getters' - can quickly turn into anarchy and it looks a lot like 'dangerous play' - but here we have always encouraged that as parents (with us safely waiting in the background).

With a good support structure and a balanced approach, this is a great model. Of course without management there is the danger of being subject to whims and knee-jerk responses and seeing the membership so stretched that in the end they achieve nothing and Implode (or melt away). Not permission for a dog-collar to do less but a challenge to be more engaged and active in a diverse manner.

Pax