A survey of Wesleyan churches and a review of current literature reveals that most pastors are bearing the burden of pastoral care alone. Only a few churches are effectively equipping and empowering lay persons to help provide this needed and meaningful ministry within the body of Christ. The purpose of this project is to demonstrate biblically and historically that the laity are gifted for ministry and that they are called to the task of shepherding God\u27s flock. Further, this project seeks to present a model for implementing a lay shepherding ministry in the small to mid-sized church
