This weekend a series of ministry discernment retreats will begin. The retreats are a place for people to explore how they can share their talents with the church in a variety of ways. Quaya Ackerman, Dakotas Conference co-lay leader, shares her experiences and insights as a certified lay minister and reflections as a lay leader.

Ackerman became a certified lay minister in 2015.  She went through the discernment retreat and then went to training for a week to become a certified lay minister.

“I felt a calling throughout my life. I was active at Wesley Acres Camp and Retreat Center as a camper and a counselor. My local pastor really encouraged me to attend a discernment retreat,” said Ackerman, a member of West Fargo Flame of Faith UMC.

“When I was deployed my call grew. I know that you have comrades, people around you supporting you. I would not have gotten through my deployment without my faith. I had to understand that God was there with my company and me. We had a lot of close calls and God was using me to help comfort others and help my comrades through the struggles.”

Photo: Quayya Ackerman, Dakotas Conference co-lay leader. Photo by jlynn studios.

The ministry discernment retreat is a one-day event for those who are feeling called to serve in ministry to others. The retreat is for anyone in the local church who would like to explore their calling and find where their gifts are best suited to serve the local church or to more intentionally serve beyond the churches four walls.

Attending this retreat will help participants focus their time in areas they are best suited to serve God. The Dakotas Conference is offering the one-day retreat in several locations on January 14, January 21, January 28, February 4, February 11 and  February 25.

“The discernment retreat helps in identifying what it is that God is calling you to do. People who attend truly get a chance to discern what path of ministry you would like to take. Not everyone’s strength is standing in the front of people in the pulpit of a church,” said Ackerman. “By the end the day, I felt God was calling me to get my lay certified ministry (CLM).”

Certified lay ministers serve as staff or a volunteer in a specialized ministry in roles such as communications director, music leader, children or youth ministries director, district parish nurse and spiritual leader of a congregation under oversight of an elder.  Other types of lay ministry certification include certified lay servant and designated preaching specialization—click here for details.

Ackerman has served as a certified lay ministry by providing pulpit supply to twelve churches in her area. Additionally, she has served as an advocate for her pastor and a leader for her church.

“Each parish has the opportunity to use the certified lay minister to support the vision and ministry of the church, even though the CLM reports to the district superintendent, the role and the relationship the church has with the CLM is important,” said Ackerman.  “I really enjoy pulpit supply. There are many ways churches can use the talents and voices of their lay members.”

Photo: There are many ways for members of congregations to serve in ministry at a church. Photo by Tory Stolen.

There are several roles for certified lay ministry and members of congregations to play in ministry beyond the pulpit. Ackerman describes that people who have strengths in apostleship would be great at teaching Sunday school, leading adult Bible studies, building relationships in a learning environment.  “The other role that I have seen certified lay ministry is in care ministry—caring for people. They are that caring body, “ Ackerman describes.  “Music is another way; music is a ministry, leading praise songs, helping design worship. We need to maximize the potential of everyone in our churches.”

“God gave strengths to everyone out there. It is the pastors and lay leaders who need to encourage people to attend a discernment retreat. It is such a wonderful experience. The discernment retreat allows God to call people into ministry in ways they have not thought of,” said Ackerman.