In Chinese philosophy, Ying & Yang describe how seemingly opposite or contrary forces may actually be complementary interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world, and how they may give rise to each other as they interrelate to another.
Let me put this into our ministry. Lay Pastors Ministry is from the two Scriptures: Ephesians 4:11-12 (Lay Ministry) & John 21: 15-17 (Pastoral care). Most of the seminaries opened classes and curriculums on the Lay Ministry and Pastoral Care far differently. Some schools open Counselling and Pastoral Care, but extraordinary, Dr. Melvin tried to put these different one together which is Lay Ministry & Pastoral Care.
So in the beginning of LPMI USA putted the name, Lay Pastoral Care Ministry, but later they changed it to Lay Pastors Ministry. In the beginning they focused on the ministry, Lay Pastoral Care Ministry but later they focus on the people those who are doing the ministry, so Lay Pastors Ministry.
Anyway, Melvin tried to put the contradiction of Yin-Yang together. Is that possible? Those two topics are very independent as its own, but when they get together, they make synergy. And also let’s see that more in details. If we say only Lay Ministry, it is too abroad to grasp the concepts, it doesn’t come into our hand, but when we put Pastor Care on there, and it becomes clear.
For instance, Hallelujah Church has been running the Academy of Lay Ministry for ten years, but people didn’t understand for a long time. By the way, finally it is clearly only through LPM/PACE National Conference at their church. Once they put together Lay Ministry and Pastoral Care, then they have the clear concept of the ministry. It was one of the successful results of the conference. So the concept of Yin-Yang makes more helpful sometimes.