Lay leader calls for taking initiative in ministry
By Linda Worthington
UMConnection Staff
Befitting an annual conference composed of as many lay people as clergy, the first thing on the agenda Thursday morning after Bible study, was the report of the laity.
Delores Martin, the new conference Lay Leader, is a familiar face to the hundreds of laity who attended the May 4 preconference session. Among her wide ranging portfolio of duties, she said that one is to “assist in fostering awareness among laity of their roles in their local churches (and) recognize and affirm all lay ministries.” She also represents the laity on the Bishop’s Extended Cabinet and on several committees and commissions.
She introduced the lay leaders of each of the eight districts and urged local church lay leaders to get to know them.
Martin stressed the importance of bringing clergy and lay members together as partners in making disciples. “Everyone should be working toward the same vision and dreaming dreams that work for the vitality of the church,” she said. “It should no longer be an environment where pastors hamper or stifle dreams of the parishioners,” she said. Both clergy and congregation must work for the vitality of the church.
“The most important area we need to attend to is to bring clergy and lay members together as partners in making disciples.
“We are all spiritual leaders called to service by God,” she concluded, “empowering everyone to enjoy this wonderful connection called The United Methodist Church.”
Following the laity address, the youth took center stage.
“We make all the decisions and do all the work,” proudly said Nick Poole, president of the Conference Council on Youth Ministries (CCYM), as he began the report of ROCK 2013.
ROCK, a three-day youth revival, each year engages more youth than the year before. This year 6,500 youth swarmed on Ocean City in January. “Thousands of young people open their hearts to God,” said Angela Woolcott, executive vice president.
Several ROCK alumni, some already out of college or close to it, testified to what a life-changing experience ROCK had been for them, reflecting the experience of hundreds of youth. Many ROCK alumni continue to return each year, often in the role of supportive young adults.
Much of the CCYM report was shown by video, planned, directed and produced by youth.
The dates have been set and CCYM is already planning ROCK 2014 for Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2014, in Ocean City.
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