Dakotas Conference United Methodist clergy and lay leaders pose for a photo during the 2022 Leadership Institute. Photo courtesy of Beata Ferris.

More than 20 lay and clergy leaders from the Dakotas Conference traveled to The United Methodist Church of Resurrection (COR) in Leawood, Kansas, to attend Leadership Institute 2022: Boundless.    

The Dakotas UMC participants joined 1,600 people attending in person and 1,00 watching online. 

Leadership Institute, LI for short, is a conference designed to equip, encourage, and inspire ministry leaders from all over the country and around the globe. Attendees experienced meaningful worship, eight powerful keynote speakers, time for prayer, reflection, networking, team building, and more.

"This is my second year going to LI, and it was another great experience.," said Rev. Amber Laffey, Alexandria UMC. "The speakers were phenomenal. I left feeling empowered and excited about ministry."

The lead pastor at COR and author, Rev. Adam Hamilton, parked his John Deer Tractor on the chancel for two days of the three-day event. Hamilton has been a part-time farmer for 20-plus years and shared messages and resources from his sermon series "God and Tractors."

Rev. Clay Lundberg, who serves Canton United Methodist Church in South Dakota, appreciated the lessons in leadership and sermon series resources that Hamilton shared. 

"Even though I was raised on the back of International tractors, I can take these leadership lessons to heart. 1) Give my best in it. "I will never put my name on an implement that doesn't have my best in it," John Deere. 2) Keep one foot in the furrow. Stay in touch with end users (farmers, in John Deere's case) and solve problems that they're having. 3) "Change, Innovate, improve, or die," John Deere. 4) Always be clear about the mission. 

Another keynote speaker, the Rev. Dr. Tod Bolsinger, a leadership expert, author and vice president of leadership formation at Fuller Theological Seminary and executive director of Church Leadership Institute, based much of his presentation on his 2015 leadership guide "Canoeing the Mountains," drawing parallels between Lewis and Clark's journey to find a northwest passage and leadership in the church. 

"One of my favorite leadership books is Tod's Canoeing the Mountains," said Rev. Jeff Lathrop, lead pastor at First UMC in Pierre, South Dakota. "While I have his books on my Amazon Kindle app, I decided to pick up a physical copy for him to sign-I even got a picture with him too!"
 
Hamilton also brought a message of hope and excitement for the future of The United Methodist Church. He also countered many of the accusations made in online videos by the Rev. Rob Renfroe, a Houston pastor and one of the leaders of the Global Methodist Church. 

"I was also especially thankful for Adam Hamilton talking about the future of the UMC and the current challenges we are facing. It is so reassuring to hear his research that most Methodists are willing to worship with and belong to the same church with people who might think differently than them on hot topics, said Laffey.  

Other speakers at this year's Leadership Institute included Jenni Catron, leadership coach and author of "The Four Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership"; Nona Jones, a church pastor and director of North American community partnerships for Meta, formerly known as Facebook; Mark Matlock, founder of the church consultancy group WisdomWorks; Bob Page (president/CEO) and Tammy Peterman from the University of Kansas Health Systems; Nicole Price, leadership development coach; and Jo Saxton, author, leadership coach and podcast host.

Leadership Institute participants chose from over 40 breakout sessions focused on specific ministry topics, with practical ideas to take back and adapt to their context regardless of congregational size.

Several Dakotas Conference churches brought a team of clergy and lay leaders. The teams could focus on specific topics to equip their local ministries. Canyon Lake UMC brought a group of four.

"We took four people on our leadership team. Each of us went for specific information. Now we are back, talking at the table about what we learned, what we can bring back and implement," said Rev. Scott McKirdy, lead pastor at Canyon Lake UMC.

Rev. Adam Hamilton had his John Deere on the chancel on the sanctuary during LI 2022 as he shared wisdom from his "God and Tractors" sermon series. Photo by David Burke, Great Plains Conference.

Here are some of the thoughts from Dakotas United Methodist leaders attending Leadership Institute about the experience.

"It was absolutely wonderful. I really enjoyed going as a team from Canyon Lake and connecting with others from the Dakotas Conference and across the country. It is so nice to network with others passionate about various ministry areas. I did many workshops relating to youth and rethinking what youth need during this unique time as we come out of Covid. I also enjoyed the worship and speakers who encouraged us but challenged us to continue to reach out to our communities, listen to what they need, and remember the importance of personal connections."

Matt Bader, youth ministry coordinator, Canyon Lake United Methodist Church, Rapid City, South Dakota

"The Leadership Institute was absolutely incredible. It was a time of both inspiration and practical application.
 
 The LI was fantastic, from the experiential prayer workshop to the opportunity to engage with Matt Rawle on using technology to reach and interact with both new and old Christ followers.
 
 I am anxious to implement some of these new found skills in my ministry setting. The opportunity to converse and interact with fellow clergy of differing theological views was of equal value.
 
 LI is an outstanding experience—and value—regardless of where you align theologically."

Rev. Rodney Knock, pastor at Hilltop United Methodist Church, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

"Leadership Institute was a wonderful experience. The keynote speakers were top-notch, and I learned a lot. I attended a breakout session led by the Church of the Resurrection Children and Family ministry team, which was so helpful with practical tips and hints to use in our local church. Worshiping in the beautiful sanctuary under that amazing stained-glass window was inspiring and uplifting. Fellowship time with other Dakotas leaders was also a highlight.

Beat Ferris, discipleship coordinator, First UMC, Pierre, South Dakota

"I always enjoy the speakers at Leadership Institute, and this year was no exception. I have attended LI off and on for over a decade, and one of the greatest gifts of my time at the Church of the Resurrection is the worship that we experience there. Especially now, in this time of turbulence within our denomination, I greatly appreciate the time devoted to discussing UMC issues."

Rev. Teresa Whetsel, United Methodist Church, Miller, South Dakota

"It was my first time going. I had almost no idea what to expect other than what other people gracefully shared with me. I was excited, and my expectations were blown away. It was an amazing time of knowledge exchange and the ability to ask questions, hear ideas and see people you hadn't seen in a while. I took away ideas surrounding small groups and care ministries. 

Finding what has been working for you is working for others—great, we keep going. Or, they had trouble in this area, too, they tried this, and they tried that. So, a lot of encouragement knowing that the same troubles that we are walking through are the same everywhere, differences as well, but the struggle is there. The energy to try to overcome those struggles is there too."

Rev. Stephanie Eliason, teaching pastor, Canyon Lake UMC, Rapid City, South Dakota

"This was my second time being able to attend the Leadership Institute. It was interesting to go seven years later and see all the amazing improvements in the Church of the Resurrection's facility. I felt God's presence and blessings as we attended all the worship times and sat beneath their amazing stained-glass windows. I took away so many pages of ideas and thoughts to continue to reflect on here at home. Some of my favorites were "church is not an extracurricular activity", what is already going on in your community that we can be a part of, inviting parents in to be a part of programming, brainstorming, and events. My favorite idea was having Santa at the Trunk or Treat inviting everyone back for Christmas Eve service. I highly encourage you to attend and bring your teams!"

Erin Woods, children's ministry coordinator and administrative assistin, Canyon Lake UMC, Rapid City, South Dakota

Next year's Leadership Institute is Sept. 27-29, and speakers will include the Rev. Carey Nieuwhof, founding pastor of Connexus Church in Ontario, considered one of the most influential churches in North America.