Disciple

Discipleship

Discipline

Ordinary

Ordained

Order

Kathleen Cahalan, Introducing the Practice of Ministry

“Ministry does not replace or supplant the self-identity or lived reality of discipleship... In becoming a minister, they do not relinquish discipleship, nor do they become some other kind of Christian by virtue of their call to ministry. They do not live according to another set of features. They share in the same fundamental call and vocation as all Christians: the call to follow Christ.

“This is why the claim that ministers are disciples is such an important point: they are not some final, fully realized, or finished disciple. They have not achieved some higher level of discipleship. Ministers seek to be faithful, trustworthy disciples in the same way that all disciples do. Of course, because of their calling into leadership in the Christian community, a minister’s discipleship is more visible and at times transparent;... Ministers become a sign of authentic discipleship and disciples naturally look to them for cues and clues into this deep mystery. Disciples are right to look to ministers for how to live the life of discipleship, but they can also place unrealistic burdens on ministers if they expect them to live as perfect disciples. Their lives are a sign, one among many, to be sure, in the community, of what discipleship means. And yet all disciples are to be a sign and witness of discipleship. Ministers cannot bear the burden of being the sign for the community. Such expectation only leads to egoism, pride, or burnout on the part of ministers, and disciples who place their ministers on pedestals of holiness are probably ignoring the demands of their own call.”