ABSTRACT
Reciprocal ministry is an approach to ministry in which people know, care about, and give reciprocal support and help to one another in communities in addition to congregations.
Empowering leadership enhances reciprocal ministry. Empowering leaders “walk-with” congregation members enabling them to contribute to others through their involvement in activities-allowing each parishioner to find ways to contribute that are meaningful to their own life.
Examples of an empowering style of leadership include an active working with people to help them (1) know others better, (2) grow to care more about each other, (3) find ways to help and support others, and (4) ask others for help and support for themselves. These distress-reducing dimensions of reciprocal ministry can transform our visions of both help-giving and leadership.
