Learning together as a team at Breakthrough Prayer workshop. Photo by Dave Stucke, Dakotas Conference.

There are a lot of ways to get involved in ministry at your local church and across the conference. Here are a few for you to consider.

Breakthrough workshops: Breakthrough workshops were created to provide tools and action steps for reaching people and creating disciples in today's culture. Clergy and laity who participate will take away practical tools, a renewed commitment, and an action plan that leads to more people who discover the life-changing love of God.  Breakthrough workshops are held throughout the year include: Breakthrough Prayer, Financial Stewardship, Youth Ministry Cohort, plus more.  Check the conference events page for upcoming workshops.

Lay servant ministries: Through baptism, all Christians are called to a ministry of servanthood. Some feel called to serve their own church or others in a deeper way. The Dakotas Conference offers a variety of opportunities for laity to become trained and equipped to live out their calling. The first step is a day-long ministry discernment retreat to learn basic leadership skills and complete a spiritual gifts inventory. Then laity can choose one of three paths that match their gifts: They can be trained to become a certified lay servant, certified lay speaker, or certified lay minister.  Learn more 

Elisha Project: The Elisha Project is for students exploring a call to ordained ministry. The internship experience is an opportunity to learn about the United Methodist Church, each intern is placed at a host church or organization for ten weeks. Over that period, the host congregation invites the intern to gain hands-on experience in a wide variety of ministerial contexts—and involves the intern in intentional reading, spiritual formation, and reflective discussions to help him or her hear and discern God’s call. Consider becoming a host congregation.  Learn more