Prairie View UMC has turned challenges into opportunities.  Faced with declining membership and deteriorating buildings they collaborated to build a new faith community in a new facility. When they faced the challenge of not having a full-time pastor, they turned it into an opportunity to develop lay leadership. 

The parking lot at Prairie View UMC.

Fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit,  four rural churches—Buffalo Gap, Oelrichs, Oral, and Smithwick, in southwestern South Dakota, formed a vision. They began to dream about what God was calling them to do.  A new vitality ministry was born and launched. The congregations united to  live out their faith in the new facility west of Smithwick, S.D. Watch a video about the collaboration and another video about the vibrant ministry. 

Lay leadership is critical to the vital ministry that is happening. When numbers recently dwindled, and their full-time pastor received a different appointment, the congregation pivoted into a lay leadership model that is bringing vibrancy to their faith journey. George Keehner, a certified lay minister, leads worship on Sundays. 

George Keehner, right, chats with Mike Schommer and Judy Cox during a recent community breakfast at Prairie View UMC.

"I actually started a grief share group because of the loss of my wife. I lost her, and there were no groups around that were faith-based. I felt a calling to start that. That was where I started my calling. It has just progressed from there. I had talked to [Rev.] Gary Walters and [Rev.] Mark Johnson, both were very supportive of me," said Keehner.

He became a certified lay minister and began filling in at his church, Rapid Valley UMC, when the pastor was gone. George then found his way to Prairie View UMC. "I started doing pulpit supply here after their pastor moved on, but they didn't have one. They asked if I wanted to take it over, which was a big decision. That was a huge decision because that was never the intention, to serve a church, when I started the CLM."

Each Sunday, Keenher preaches at Prairie View. Lay people in the congregation assist with the liturgy and the music. "I plan throughout the week. I'm not good with music. They help me out with that. I have a worship leader that does part of the service," he shares.

Care Ministry is evolving. "I'm still working on getting to all the shut-ins, visiting them, and visiting people when they're in the hospital," said Keehner.

On the first Saturday of the month, the congregation hosts a breakfast. Hot French toast on the grill, golden brown pancakes, steaming scrambled eggs, and bottomless cups of coffee.  These aromas fill the busy parking lot of Prairie View United Methodist Church on the first Saturday of every month. Folks from miles around come to this country church near the southern Black Hills to connect over a hot breakfast.

Cindy Trent, who had been working on breakfast since 5:50 a.m. on a recent Saturday morning, said four people were already working when she arrived. "We've been doing monthly breakfasts at this church since 2010, and before that, it was at Buffalo Gap UMC," she said.

Her favorite part of the event is visible as she mingles with people, refilling coffee pots at each long table. "Seeing all the new faces! There's new faces each time," she exclaimed. Then, she was off to greet and serve.

The organizers have changed over the years, but the congregation continues to host the mammoth event with grace and generous spirits. They don't waste time with a headcount and instead start with 100 paper plates. When those run out, they know they've served over 100, and they add more plates. On a recent Saturday, they served more than 103.

Ten people attended a new membership class earlier this month, led by George and District Superintendent Dan Bader. The class informed prospective members, either new or returning to the United Methodist Church. 

"Dan came down and helped me with that. We're going to have a membership Sunday on Palm Sunday," said Pastor George. Ten new members are a great sign for a congregation that sees around 50 worshippers each Sunday.

Small groups meet at Prairie View UMC to grow in faith. On Tuesday mornings, a self-directed group gathers at the church to study the Bible. This organic group decides how to pattern and direct the study. 

Ruth Pourier, one of the long-time organizers of the monthly community breakfasts at Prairie View UMC, slides french toast off the griddle.

There's also a women's Bible study of 6-8 people, which meets Thursday evenings. Ruth Pourier of that group shared, "We've been meeting every other Thursday for 18 years. We're currently watching and discussing The Chosen. It's very good."   

During Lent, a group meets on Friday evenings to study The Third Day, a Lenten series from Bishop Tom Berlin. They gather for soup, bread, and fellowship, discuss the current chapter, and watch the video together. Pastor George leads the group. He is really impressed by the series and the author. 

He said, "This is the first one I've done by him [Bishop Tom Berlin]. I would do another study by him in a heartbeat. The study fits into what I am preaching very well. I'm going to use some of the content for Easter."

The church is also active in other ministries and missions. Each "Mission of the Month" goes toward loving their neighbors. Last month, they collected food for the local food bank. This month, the mission project is "Socks for Vets." There is a Veteran's home in Hot Springs, a nearby community. Pastor George, a veteran, feels especially connected to this month's mission. "There's quite a few of us here that are vets," he said. "It is near and dear to me and others I know."

George expresses gratitude for the opportunity to serve Prairie View UMC. "I'm loving it. This has been a wonderful deal. I couldn't ask for a better church. They are treating me wonderfully. God has seriously blessed me."

Resources:
Dakotas Connection Initiative:  The Dakotas Connection Initiative will provide grant dollars to support innovative projects that champion the values of sharing resources, raising up local leadership, creative partnerships, and strategic use of technology for better use of ministry resources with other churches.

Lay leadership development: Be equipped and inspired to serve as a leader in various ministry areas inside and outside your congregation. Serve as staff or volunteer in areas like community advocacy, social justice issues, earth care, as well as children/youth ministry, congregational care, hospitality, prayer, mission, and more.