Why Dag Heward-Mills Believes Every Christian Can Serve in Ministry
In the ministry of Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, one truth rings out clearly—every Christian can and must serve. The idea that ministry is for a select, gifted few has been gently but firmly dismantled in his teaching over the years. Through books, sermons, and personal training, he has labored to awaken the Church to the truth that every believer is called to the work of the ministry.
He has not only preached it—he has demonstrated it. In the churches under his leadership, lay people are not sidelined. They are shepherds. They are soul winners. They are leaders, preachers, and missionaries. Doctors, students, bankers, and artisans all serve alongside full-time pastors, advancing the work of God with dedication and joy.
This culture didn’t come by accident. It was taught. It was modeled. It was lived. Bishop Dag believes that when everyone takes up their place in God’s house, the Church becomes unstoppable.
Ministry Is Not for a Select Few
One of the reasons Bishop Dag insists on this truth is because he has seen how damaging the “clergy vs. laity” divide can be. When ministry is reserved only for pastors and professionals, the rest of the Church becomes passive. But when believers are taught that they too have something to contribute, something shifts. The Church becomes alive with movement.
He often reminds his listeners that Jesus didn’t only call the qualified—He qualified those He called. The twelve disciples were fishermen, tax collectors, and ordinary men. Yet they turned the world upside down. That same spirit is alive today in every believer who says yes to God.
Bishop Dag challenges every Christian to serve not because it’s convenient, but because it’s biblical. The New Testament shows us churches filled with serving members, not just observing members. And he has worked tirelessly to restore that pattern in the modern Church.
Teaching That Activates and Empowers
Through books like Lay People and the Ministry, Many Are Called, and The Lay Ministry, Bishop Dag has taught believers how to step into their God-given roles. He outlines practical ways to serve—from leading a home cell, to evangelizing, to pastoring a group within the church. He helps remove the fear and confusion that sometimes hold people back. His teaching is empowering because it is clear, simple, and spiritual.
He does not lower the standard for lay people. He trains them with the same seriousness he gives to full-time pastors. He teaches them to fast, to pray, to study the Word, to win souls, and to love God’s people. In doing so, he raises an army that can serve with maturity and anointing.
Many testimonies have emerged from this teaching. People who never imagined themselves preaching now lead fellowships. Those who thought they had nothing to offer now lead growing ministries. All because someone believed in them and taught them that they were called.
The Joy of Serving
Beyond responsibility, Bishop Dag also teaches the joy of serving. He shows that ministry is not a burden—it is a blessing. It brings fulfillment, it deepens your relationship with God, and it allows you to be part of something eternal. Serving shifts the Christian life from survival to purpose.
In his churches, lay people don’t serve out of pressure. They serve out of passion. They are taught to love the work of the Lord, to find purpose in ministry, and to give their best even while juggling work, family, and personal life.
Bishop Dag has helped people discover that their true significance is found not in what they do for a living, but in what they do for the Kingdom.
He believes that the Church is healthiest when every part is doing its work. And that is why he will continue to teach, train, and challenge believers everywhere to rise up and serve.