,
Hofstra, New York June
7th,8th,9th,10th 2006
Bishop Park
Joins the
Lay Speakers at their Luncheon on Friday:
Our Bishop made a late visit to join the lay speakers at their first, annual lay speaker luncheon on Friday.
He expressed his gratitude and support for all the various ministries that the lay speakers do throughout their districts, conference, and within their own communities.
Bishop Park reminded us that the name was changed from "Lay Ministry" to "Lay Ministries" to reflect the variety of ministry, mission, and leadership roles that lay speakers are involved in.
The lay speakers thanked Bishop Park for his leadership and his support of lay ministries.
Lay Speakers have longed for a
time and place to fellowship and exchange ideas... the luncheon in the
Hofstra student center was the perfect place ... they were provided with
their own private room where they socialized over a lunch meeting. Lots of
food and great company ... what a buzz"! ...
imagine 100+ lay speakers SPEAKING ALL AT ONCE.
I made an effort to get around to the different tables and was encouraged by the level of activity of our lay speakers around the conference and to hear everyone exchanging stories about their lay speaking ministries with each other.
- Jim Fleegal
New,
Lay
Speaker
Ministries Table:
Another new focus for lay ministries at the conference
this year was that we had a table display
dedicated for the communication of Lay Speaking Ministries.
The table displayed information about Lay Speaking ministries and included
numerous photographs of lay speakers in action (please continue to email
photographs from your district to:
Jim Fleegal at
jfpilgrim@charter.net).
Many also expressed a concern that they were not receiving communication from their districts about lay speaking classes, events, and workshops.
All were encouraged to visit the conference web site www.gbgm-unmc.org/nylayspeakersite for the latest information and class schedule.
Of interest and the topic of several discussions was the new, lay minister program.
Attendees were directed to read the section in the 2004 Book of Disciplines, talk to their local pastor and district superintendent about enrolling in the program.
An unscientific survey from about 40 lay who people responded to a questionnaire at the conference helps to provide some insight about things that help to promote spiritual growth, things that hinder spiritual growth, and things that need to be fixed to enable spiritual growth:
1) Study groups (Bible, Disciple, and others), lay speaking program, active lay involvement, gifts-based ministry as well as pastor support and giving to mission were listed as
THINGS THAT ARE WORKING TO PROMOTE SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND MINISTRY IN THE LOCAL CHURCH.
2) District workshops and the district lay speaking program were the key things mentioned
THAT PROMOTED SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND MINISTRIES AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL.
3) "Marginal Christians" (those who demonstrated a lack of commitment/service), Time (over-committed) and issues with the pastor were listed as
THINGS THAT HINDERED SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND MINISTRY.
4) Gifts-based ministry, retreats, and more youth programs were listed as THINGS THAT SHOULD DONE TO FIX - TO PROMOTE SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND MINISTRY IN THE LOCAL CHURCH.
5) Leadership skills, communication, conflict resolution, time management, and alternative workshop services were listed as TOPICS FOR WORKSHOPS THAT WOULD HELP IN FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF MY PERSONAL SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND MINISTRY.