We are all called to do God's work. Discern what your call is by attending a Ministry Discernment Retreat for the September 26 Retreat.  The process led to the creation of the 2015-16 lay serving training schedule. A Ministry Discernment Retreat is a one-day event for folks who are feeling a call or a nudge to serve in ministry to others.

The Lay Servant Ministries executive team and the 20 ministry team coordinators have contacted laypersons in every congregation throughout the Dakotas Conference, defining the training needs of the laity. 

The process led to the creation of the 2015-16 lay serving training schedule.  

Click here to view the training schedule and registration links

The schedule includes dates and locations for Ministry Discernment Retreats.  Here are some details about the Discernment Retreats provided by Rev. Steve Trefz, Equipper of Lay Servant Ministries for the Dakotas-Minnesota Area.

What is a Ministry Discernment Retreat?

A Ministry Discernment Retreat is a one-day event for folks who are feeling a call or a nudge to serve in ministry to others.  It serves as the entry-point into various credentialing opportunities in The United Methodist Church, so it’s a great “first step” into what God is calling you to do in the next 3-5 years (or perhaps more!).   It’s also a great way to connect with people from surrounding UMC’s who have similar calls.  Participants are under no obligation to move forward in any particular track of leadership in the UMC, but they could once the day is complete.

Who should come to a Ministry Discernment Retreat?

Anyone who is already in leadership in their local church who might be feeling that the area they currently serve in is not where God desires them to be in the near future, or anyone who already serves but wants to serve more intentionally in that role.   Also, anyone who is new to The United Methodist Church, or new to ministry leadership in the UMC, who wants to learn the basic aspects of the way we follow Jesus through using our gifts for ministry. 

What happens at the retreat?

Participants arrive around 9:30am at the site, and join together in a facilitated Bible and small group study.  Next they will take a spiritual gifts inventory, and discuss the results together by looking through pictures that each participant has brought to the retreat.  The afternoon session will put those gifts into context, as participants will discern how their gifts match-up with the opportunities God has for them in their communities.

Why should someone attend?

Because intentionally and prayerfully discerning your call together with brothers and sisters in Christ not only helps amplify your calling, but builds upon the ideas and opportunities from other places.  Folks have learned new approaches to ministry that they can then utilize in their local church.  Others have expressed the Holy Spirit’s presence in naming how their gifts became clear in a whole new way.  Bringing a friend from church is the best way to attend, because you can then continue the discernment on the drive home, and you can have some help in implementing all that you learned in your own local setting.

* To register for a Ministry Discernment Retreat  click here