Abstract
The study originated with the assumption that the praxis of the Apostolic Faith Mission of
South Africa (AFM) shows that pastors are possibly so busy with numerous duties,
responsibilities and many demands made on them, that they have difficulty in mobilizing
their assemblies for effective ministry (Eph. 4:12). The majority of assemblies in the AFM
are functioning as institutional model assemblies. In these assemblies most of the
ministries are primarily performed by the pastors, permanent staff members and a small
group of the laity. The consequences are that such assemblies do not effectively fulfill the
Great Commission (Matt. 28:19). Assembly mobilization implies a process whereby the
laity is empowered to discover, develop and perform voluntary works of service (ministry).
The study was undertaken based on the social sciences and implementing an analytical
and critical approach, to develop an enhanced understanding of the way the church
functions, as the body of Christ and as a living organism.
The potential for growth in the body of Christ involves the mutual contribution of every
member so that the whole might be built up and achieve maturity. Consequently the body
of Christ metaphor was suggested as preferential for the future functioning and practice of
assembly ministries, because:
The metaphor presents a principal expression of the Biblical will of God for
the way in which an assembly functions in carrying out the Great
Commission;
The disadvantages of institutionalism are counteracted and neutralized by
this metaphor;
Both qualitative and quantitative assembly growths occur where this
metaphor is implemented.
The study seeks to emphasize the importance of the fact that equipping the laity has to be
an ongoing process in local assemblies. With the aforementioned as point of departure, it
is argued that:
All persons should be equipped to competent levels to enable them to
contribute to the growth and development of the assembly through various
ministries;
The fivefold ministry (Eph. 4:12) should accept the responsibility to equip
the laity for their ministry;
Every lay person is gifted by God (Eph. 4:7) and should accept
responsibility to minister using their gifts to build up and benefit the
assembly;
Equipping and empowering the laity are crucial elements to accomplish
the Great Commission.
The objective was to develop the body of Christ metaphor for assemblies that focus on
utilizing the gifts of the laity. This study argues that assemblies will not accomplish this
objective until pastors see it as their primary responsibility to mobilize their assemblies.
The challenge facing pastors lies in whether they will be able to make the following
paradigm shifts:
Leadership shift from ministers to equippers;
A ministry shift from consumers to contributors.
Creating a new culture and promoting the equipping and empowerment of the laity should
therefore be given priority by pastors in local assemblies as a whole. These changes will
enable the body of Christ to contribute to carry out the Great Commission.
The program that was designed is suitable for the discovery, equipping and empowerment
of the potential of the laity for voluntary works of service (ministry). The study seeks to
create a general development strategy to empower the laity in assemblies. It purposefully
engineers certain paradigm shifts, changes structures, creates a new management
approach and introduces new processes.
The spiritual growth and autonomy of any assembly depends partially on effective
organization. In order to function effectively assemblies need to apply sound managerial
techniques. Assemblies are to pay attention to the critical judgment of current theories.
Lastly, the assembly is seen as an organization with a strong spiritual component
consisting mainly of volunteers. An assembly structured according to the body of Christ
metaphor will benefit greatly when it implements a “utilization of people” management
theory.
This thesis is a contribution aimed at assisting the leadership not only to create a culture
for assembly mobilization, but also to assist them in restructuring to ensure that the
process will be managed effectively.
Dr. M. Nel
Prof. L. Nortjé-Meyer