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In the ELCA, we talk about the ministry of all the baptized. There are an abundance of ways people can serve in the church either in formal or informal ways, paid or volunteer, inside or outside of a congregation. While rostered ministers (we'll talk about them soon) are the most visible leaders in the church, lay leadership is what keeps the denomination going. Without lay leaders, Ministers of Word and Service and Ministers of Word and Sacrament would be left without a vital arm of leadership in the sanctuary, the synod, programs throughout the country, and beyond.
A great way to look at lay leadership would be to look at how the church reaches beyond the Sunday worship service. Homebound members stay connected with the church because of lay leaders visiting and worshiping with them weekly. Ministry programs for our home-insecure neighbors, refugees, youth, and so many other programs are run by lay leaders. Our services are filled with lay volunteers leading us through prayer, reading God's Word, and playing music to the glory of God.
To ensure lay leaders have the tools necessary to go from being a service volunteer to an intentional leader ready for the next step, the ELCA works in partnership with Select Learning to develop and operate Lay Schools of Ministry. These schools are where lay leaders can gain biblical and theological literacy, understand their daily vocation as a leader, and immerse themselves in intentional education through shared experiences. It is an avenue for those who are called to be leaders but not called to be rostered ministers to learn more about God's plans and stay grounded in the Lutheran confession. To learn more about Lay Schools for Ministry, contact your synod office or visit Select Learning.
Photo by Ben Groth
