I spend a decent amount of time talking with people about how to create a community where people feel empowered, have a sense of ownership, and display a high level of involvement. And though it doesn't happen overnight, creating an environment to foster those things is by no means impossible, or even treacherous.

But such an environment does require these five elements:

1)  A loss of control on the part of the pastor

If you want others to own something, you can't canvas the church with labels bearing your name. You cannot make the church look like a kindergarten classroom with everything you've brought or created labeled and tagged. I know that you worked hard to get this position. I know that you went to seminary and paid for it. I know that your denomination tells you it is all your responsibility—and it IS. Which is why you should do all you can to foster the kind of community that encourages every member to be a spiritually mature and responsible person. Let it go. Let other people shine. Create space for others to fill, and let it sit there empty until you think it will gnaw at your very soul. Everyone needs to find something on the chore chart to do, but they can't if you keep cleaning the whole house for them week after week.

2)  A willingness to value participation over presentation

If you ask any community-minded pastor, you will hear him say to be prepared that sometimes Sundays can be bumpy. Maybe the Scripture reader isn't the most eloquent or the new band member forgets the song or the person doing communion didn't do a Eucharistic prayer. (I know, half of you just inhaled loudly at the very scandalous thought). This is part of the process. It's a sign you have non-seminary people actually participating in worship. When this happens, I suggest breathing deeply and letting go of your preaching professor's echoing voice in your head and trying to see what is happening as the work of the people, the liturgy of the Word unfolding right before your eyes. It is beautiful, even as it is a bit awkward and messy. We are working it out, little by little, and that is the stuff of faith.

I confess there are still times when this one's hard for me. I like things to go well. But I try to remember not to consider myself that important. Because I don't think God is concerned about how my pastoral image is looking in that moment, or whether God cares about my desire to look like I've planned and organized well. I think God cares far more about a community of people working it out, little by little, with earnest hearts.

3)  Openness to feedback

Here's a clear sign that members are taking ownership of their community: when they feel free enough to question what you are doing, or to mention something they think isn't structured well, or when they really disagree with the way something is going. This requires some mature centeredness on the part of the pastor. It requires a little bit of tough skin and an ability not to take all criticism personally. (Please refer back to point #1.) And honestly, this seems to be where I see other pastors decide to give up and return to the way things used to be. It is not easy to have people critique something you've worked so hard to create. Also, it's not easy to accept that they might be right and to follow their advice and put it into practice. We may be hard-wired to see this as failure or as a loss of authority, when really it is a sign of strength and wisdom.