Often times in the life of a congregation, we will use the word volunteer. We might hear someone say, “I was volunteering at church.” We might volunteer to teach Sunday School, to chaperone a youth retreat, or to set up of a children’s ministry event. But I am not sure we really volunteer at church.
I think the best word for what we do at the church, for the church, and as the church is leadership. We provide service leadership and lay leadership, which is the most valuable kind of leadership! It is leadership that fosters commitment, creates relationships, and enriches community.
Each year at the beginning of the year, we gather for Committee Night, which will be January 12. It is one night when most of the committees will meet for a quick meeting to elect officers for the year or to discuss initial planning. Committee members gather around tables and embrace the commitment of leadership! There are conversations and ideas, which are turned into ministry throughout the year.
As one of our first large gatherings of the year, it signifies what is important to us! Lay leadership and our ministry together are two of our top priorities. They breathe life into the congregation and allow us to serve others as well.
We also look forward to our first quarterly Business Meeting and Potluck on Thursday, January 30. It is another example of lay leadership as we make decisions as a congregation. We will gather around the table with one another, and we will talk about our Global Ministries Offering Budget for 2025-2026, the financial report for 2024, and new members for the Nominating Committee.
As we take our first steps into 2025, we are thankful that we take them together, valuing the lay leadership of the church as the strength of the congregation!
-Tripp