Laura Liable is the lay leader for Beach United Methodist Church in Howard, South Dakota. She never imagined that she would serve as a leader in a congregation. It all started 14 years ago when she got married, and her husband's grandmother invited the couple to join the church that she had always attended.

"I joined 14 years ago, but ten years ago is when I really started getting into church," Liable said. "I got into the church because the ladies made me feel welcome and feel my connection. I wouldn't go anywhere else just because this is where my family is at and where our roots lay."

Today, she is working with a team of people leading worship at the church, where she is a member, and preaching once a month at two other congregations.

"Rebecca [Rev. Rebecca Trefz] approached me about filling the pulpit in two churches once a month. I thought I would give it a shot," said Laura Liable.

She had some experience preaching at Howard. Pastor Diane Stangohr, who serves at Beach UMC, asked her to fill in a few times. "It [preaching] can be intimidating. I have developed a comfort level to help me take this step," she said.

Answering God's call

God has been nurturing and nudging Laura's call. Explorations and conversations with Pastor Stangohr, have encouraged her call. Laura also seeks out advice from Pastor Kim Hastings, who serves at Unite UMC in Salem, South Dakota, and previously served in Howard.  

At the Celebration of Life in Ministry service at the Dakotas Annual Conference, Liable's call was affirmed. During the service, those who feel called into ministry are asked to step forward to the altar. Laura did not reach the front during that part of the service, but she knows God is calling her into ministry.

"Two years ago, that service was absolutely amazing. It was powerful. I guess I knew then where I was supposed to be, but I was too afraid to stand up," said Laura. "This year, it was the same experience. I guess I'm making a bold statement now just talking about it. When Rebecca asked me, it seemed like a step in the right direction."

Living into God's call

In July, she started serving with a team at the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Virgil, South Dakota, and the United Parish (UMC/UCC) in Alpena, South Dakota. Virgil reports a population of 22. The population of Alpena is 213. The two rural congregations in eastern South Dakota have a range of 15-25 people in worship each week. There are three on the ministry team: Rev. Rebecca Tefz, Dakotas Conference Assistant to the Bishop for Connection and Communications; Rod Huisman, a Kairos University seminary student; and Liable.

"It's been very soul-filling. When I preached the first Sunday in July, my heart was full. I had time to reflect on Monday morning because I drive about 40 minutes to work. I felt God was with me. It just was very, very powerful," shared Laura.

Laura Laible, lay leader from Howard Beach UMC, leads worship at Virgil United Methodist Church.

View a worship service and her message from July, August, and September.

Laura explains that both congregations are small, with several members in the older adult age range. The culture is welcoming. One of the congregations has a pianist every Sunday; the other congregation has a piano player 2-3 Sundays a month. Leading music is part of the worship leader's responsibility in the other church.

"I love to sing, but I am a horrible singer. I might sing in my car and not care what I sound like. But it's a slightly different story when you are at a microphone in front," Laura describes. "My first time leading music wasn't the best, but I did not feel judged."

Becoming a Certified Lay Minister

Her goal is to become a certified lay minister. In The United Methodist Church, a certified lay minister is "called and equipped to conduct public worship, care for the congregation, assist in program leadership, develop new and existing faith communities, preach the word, lead small groups, or establish community outreach ministries as part of a ministry team with the supervision and support of a clergyperson." (2016 Book of Discipline ¶268.1).

The journey to become a Certified Lay Minister involves training. Discipleship Ministries and The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry have worked together to develop the coursework, organized into four modules: Module One: Call and Covenant for Ministry, Module Two: The Practice of Ministry, Module Three: Organization for Ministry, Module Four: Connection for Ministry. The Dakotas Conference offers in-person and virtual learning opportunities for Module One and Module Two.

Liable attended a Discernment Retreat in 2023. The retreat is Module One and the entry point for those exploring a call to lay ministry. Participants explore their gifts and talents. The retreat provides an overview of the various lay ministry opportunities within The United Methodist Church and the Dakotas Conference. If your church is interested in hosting a retreat, please contact the Leadership Development Office. 

To complete Modules Two, Three, and Four, Laura has been taking her coursework to become a certified lay ministry online through BeADisciple.com. 

"I stepped up, and I am starting the process. I've started taking lay classes through BeADiscple. I was very leery about the online courses. I had an experience with online learning that left a sour taste in my mouth," shared Laura. "It was not near as hard as what I had anticipated. The course was only two weeks long. So, it's like I can do this for two weeks. Now my next course is starting."

The Dakotas Conference is offering Module Two through the Lay Training Academy. If you are a lay person or know someone feeling called to grow in knowledge and skill around planning, preparing, and leading the spoken parts of worship, including the sermon, apply to be part of the next Lay Academy Training. The training will be held October 25-27 at Open Heart UMC in Rapid City, South Dakota, with preaching arranged that Sunday at various UMCs in the area. The event will begin at 1 p.m. MDT and 2 p.m. CDT on Friday and will end after everyone has completed worship and debriefed on Sunday. Registration (including a recommendation from your pastor) is due by September 25. Register here.