Twenty dedicated lay pastors from across Wisconsin gathered at the conference office from October 10 to 12 for an inspiring weekend of training focused on two vital areas: spirituality and practical ministry.
Crafting a Vision for the Future
The program kicked off on Friday night with a collaborative brainstorming session. The pastors worked together to create a powerful new vision statement for the Volunteer Lay Pastor (VLP) program. A clear vision helps our lay pastors stay focused and motivated as they carry out the vital ministry God has entrusted to them. Once finalized, the new vision statement will be presented to the constituents.
A Day of Practical Training
Sabbath was a full day dedicated to sharpening practical skills for ministry.
Morning Session: The Practice of Prayer
Pastor Barry St. Clair from the Portage district led a session on effective prayer. Moving beyond simply discussing prayer, Pastor Barry provided practical examples of how to pray effectively. Pastors paired up to practice these techniques, which they can now take back to their local congregations to vitalize their churches through active prayer.
Afternoon Session: Apologetics & Bible Study
Bill Martin, an elder from the Madison Community Church, offered a layperson’s perspective on apologetics. He equipped the pastors on how to effectively respond to critical questions often posed to Adventists, covering key topics like the Sabbath. The group also received hands-on experience in building their own Bible study series.
Finishing Strong: A Passion for Youth
On the closing day, Pastor Eric Jean-Baptiste from the Green Bay Church shared his passion for Youth Ministry. Acknowledging that this is often a challenging area for churches, Pastor Eric reaffirmed the importance of our youth, teaching practical ways to support the ministry, understand different worldviews, and draw young people into our church families.
These dedicated lay pastors will now return to their local churches, ready to apply the valuable skills they acquired. The VLP program is a key component in fulfilling the mission of the Wisconsin Conference, and the work of these volunteers is crucial for expanding the kingdom of God.
Are you interested in becoming a lay pastor? Please speak to your local church pastor to learn more!
Pastor Myoung Kwon
