Connections across the Dakotas: Empowering lay people
Everyone plays a critical role in growing in love for Jesus, inviting others to Jesus, and making the mission of the church happen. Clergy and lay people have an equal voice and both are essential.
Jane Hincks, a member of Legacy United Methodist Church in Bismarck, North Dakota and the Dakotas Conference Co-lay leader, invites all lay people, the laity consists of all members who are not part of the clergy, to get out of the pew and get involved. Hincks encourages people to get involved anyway possible including: serving as a conference lay leader, district lay leader, getting involved in the Breakthrough Prayer Initiative, help with children’s ministry, youth ministry, serve in the kitchen, worship, or music. “Just listen to the Holy Spirit and get involved,” says Hincks.
Deb Kjerstad, who serves as the director of leadership development for the Dakotas Conference and is a member of Canyon Lake UMC in Rapid City, South Dakota describes lots of opportunities that equip laity. If you are a member of a congregation, but you are not an ordained minister, then you are a member of the laity. Discernment retreats, workshops for children’s and youth ministry, congregational care seminars are opportunities for laity to learn more about how to serve in leadership. “We will come to your church and provide the training,” says Kjerstad.
Resources:
Breakthrough Prayer Initiative: article | sign up for the next training
Congregational Care Seminar
Children’s and youth ministry training
Discernment retreats
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