Based on the Creeds, Mutual Ministry recognizes that baptized lay persons are ministers of the Church. All ministry is Christ's.  Every baptized person is an active participant in the Body of Christ (the Church), each according to gift.

Mutual Ministry recognizes that ministry occurs in the midst of daily life; and, seeks to transform congregations into "Ministering Communities" where each person, and the Christian community, keep their promises to each other.  The promises are expressed in the Baptismal Covenant. (page 304, Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, 1979)

Mutual Ministry is also sometimes referred to as "Total Ministry")

What is the ministry of the laity (lay persons)?
"The ministry of lay persons is to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be; and, according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ's work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church."

Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, page 855

The objective of Mutual Ministry is simple: "to help everyone in the congregation live together into our collective ministries.."

The Mutual Ministry Learning Group "attempts to change the focus of our conversations from individual accountability to corporate accountability--that is, to mutual ministry. Good stewardship of the resources (time, talent, and treasure) with which we have been entrusted is essential. To be consistent with our mission, planning and reviewing must be done in a way that builds trust rather than breaks down the community."

"Living Into Our Ministries" by Samuel P. Magill, © 2003 The Episcopal Church Foundation

Planning for ministry, doing the work, and reviewing or reflecting on what we have done constitutes the mutual ministry cycle."

       Come and join us, you'll meet congregations that will make you feel at home.

In the love of Christ,
The People of St. Joseph's, Yucca Valley, &
The People of St. Martin's, Twentynine Palms