Next, we want to introduce you to a musical version of the same four concepts, that laity are CALLED to ministry, GIFTED for ministry, to be TRAINED for ministry, and to be are SENT into ministry. Here is the background.
 
In 1978, Jim Garlow launched a seminar called L.I.T.E. (Lay Institute to Equip), designed to equip laypersons for their ministry. “Ministry” is not reserved for pastors. All followers of Jesus, if they are understand themselves properly, are called to bona fide “ministry.” The following year, Jim completed his doctoral dissertation for his Ph.D. on historical theology at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, on how John Wesley equipped the “lay preachers” in the 1700s in England.  
 
As noted above, Garlow noticed a pattern. Wesley understood that the laity were (1) called to ministry, (2) gifted for ministry, (3) to be trained for ministry, and (4) sent into ministry. In 1980, Garlow wrote the book Partners in Ministry, based on these four concepts. He later did two videos, Partners in Ministry and All God’s People on these concepts, both of them listed above.
 
In 1981, Garlow wrote a 12-song musical on the topic, once again based on the four concepts listed above. Actually, it should be said that Myra Schubert helped write it, as she was the one who took Jim’s very raw and rough cassette tape recordings and sketchy notes and arranged all the songs. They were first performed by a select group of voices at the Lay Ministry Congress at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene, Bethany, Oklahoma and then at the Crystal Cathedral, founded and pastored by Robert Schuler, in Garden Grove, California, as part of a major lay ministry training event there.
 
Although written more than forty five years ago (yes, they have an 80s sound), it is hoped that these songs will motivate persons to understand that they if they are a follower of Jesus, they are “called into ministry,” regardless of their occupation.
 
The record album comes with a full musical score.