Linking Laity
The "Linking Laity for Empowerment" monthly Zoom meetings bring together lay members of Holston Conference. (Illustration Courtesy of The Call)
ALCOA, Tenn. – A monthly Zoom meeting is pulling together lay members of Holston Conference to give them ideas for building up their own churches as they learn from other congregations.
“Linking Laity for Empowerment” is the brainchild of Becky Hall, conference lay leader. After three months, the monthly meetings have already had an impressive turnout. In June, about 80 church members logged in for the gathering, offered as a choice between Tuesday or Thursday night.
Hall believes that church members realize – after surviving a pandemic and disaffiliation – they must work together to overcome hard times and to spread the love of Jesus Christ.
“In the local church, the pastors are the spiritual leaders, but it is the laity who implement the activities and ministries of the church,” Hall said. “It’s got to be the laity.”
In addition to serving as conference lay leader, Hall's full-time position is executive director at Christ United Methodist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The next “Linking Laity” Zoom meeting was schedule for Tuesday, July 30, and Thursday, Aug. 1, both at 7 p.m. The meeting lasts about an hour. Participants must pre-register.
The topic of the next Zoom meeting is “how to attract new people to your church,” a discussion with the Rev. Susan Arnold, director of congregational development. Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett will also share a greeting.
In previous meetings, participants have discussed:
- What happened at General Conference
- What to expect at Annual Conference
- How to support our pastors
- What challenge is your church facing and how are you dealing with it?
Topics for future meetings include:
- How to get grants
- How to deal with conflict
- How to share your faith
- Developing digital ministry
Leanna Robertson Johnson is a regular participant in the “Linking Laity” Zoom meetings. She is a member at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Johnson City, Tennessee.
“'Linking Laity’ sessions are a terrific way to meet lay people around the conference, learn what other churches are doing to minister to their communities, how we can support and encourage each other,” Johnson said. “I believe we have a bright future ahead. I am excited for us to get back to the basics of sharing Christ’s love with our neighbors.”
Hall said she hopes to see both familiar faces and new people at future Zoom meetings.
“Now more than ever, it’s important for laity, in step with clergy, to let our communities know: We are still moving forward with our mission and ministry to grow the Kingdom and help our neighbors.”
Visit the Linking Laity for Empowerment page for more information and the meeting schedule.
Read more about Laity Ministry in The United Methodist Church.
Holston Conference includes United Methodist churches in East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and North Georgia, with main offices in Alcoa, Tennessee. Sign up for a free email subscription to The Call.
Annette Spence is editor of The Call, the Holston Conference newsletter.