Annual Conference Workshop: Connector Conversations
What does it look like to help churches and individuals discover new ways to live out their call to ministry? At Annual Conference 2026, Dakotas Conference connectors shared about their areas of ministry and the ways they are helping congregations and individuals find opportunities, resources, and support for ministry and discipleship.
The conversation covered a wide range of topics, including Fresh Expressions, justice and advocacy, lay leadership development, spiritual formation, discipleship pathways, and responding to the needs of local communities. Bri Heida, Connector for Renewal, highlighted Fresh Expressions as one way churches can explore new forms of ministry beyond traditional church settings. “Fresh Expressions is a movement within the church, within the institutional church, that actually invites us to think about different ways of being the church outside of our walls,” she explained. The conversation emphasized that these expressions can take many forms and create opportunities to connect with people who may not otherwise find a place within the traditional church.
Meaghan Wharton, Connector for Justice and Advocacy, encouraged churches to look for opportunities to make a difference where they are, sharing, “I think that if we just help one person or make a difference in one person’s life, that's enough to continue.” Her perspective reflects the importance of recognizing that advocacy and ministry can begin with individual relationships and small steps that make a meaningful difference.
The conversation also highlighted the importance of investing in lay leadership. Annie Carlson, Connector for Call and Development, spoke candidly about opportunities for continued growth and development among laity, saying, “We need to invest in our laity. That’s my priority,” she shared, emphasizing that ministry is not limited to those serving in professional clergy roles. “If we’re here, we are living lives of ministry.”
Across each area of conversation, the connectors emphasized the importance of meeting people where they are and recognizing that ministry will look different in different communities. As Bri noted when discussing discipleship and ministry pathways, “They have to be contextualized.” The goal is not to provide every church with the same approach, but to help congregations discover what makes sense for their particular context and the people they are called to serve.
Throughout the conversation, one message was clear: churches do not have to navigate ministry alone. The conference connectors are available to help congregations identify resources, make connections, and explore new possibilities for ministry and discipleship. Whether a church is considering a Fresh Expression, looking for ways to strengthen lay leadership, engaging in justice and advocacy, or developing new discipleship opportunities, the invitation is to look at what God is already doing in the community and consider how the church can join in.
