December 2025 – Winter Ministry Update
Strengthening Ministry Through Collaboration: Lessons from the Lay Leadership Summit
We are sent into the world as Co-Workers of the Kingdom, recognizing that we are stronger together.
Three lay leaders, each serving congregations in different contexts, reflected on their experiences at the recent Lay Leadership Summit. The Summit was designed to provide practical “how-to” applications related to the various ways laity help lead their congregations and schools, as well as to foster unity and collaboration among churches. It brought together leaders from across the District to explore how they could work as “Co-Workers for the Kingdom.” Their insights highlighted some of the challenges and opportunities facing congregations.
John Meyerhofer – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Elizabeth
John Meyerhofer, Council Chairman at St. Paul’s, found one key takeaway was the emphasis on involving parents in their children’s faith formation and developing a ministry that could engage the entire congregation. For John, this was an opportunity to rethink how to connect with families in their rural setting. However, the Summit’s broader lessons on volunteer recruitment also resonated with him, especially in a congregation where the same people are often called on to fill multiple roles.
John was struck by the encouragement to take risks in ministry and to embrace the possibility of failure as part of the growth process. “It is OK to try things and then fail. So, try and not lose hope when an idea does not work,” he reflected. This mindset has reinvigorated his approach to ministry. John is now focused on adapting what he learned in order to suit the unique needs of his community.
Justin VonAlven – Zion Lutheran Church, Grant Park
For Justin VonAlven, the highlight of the Summit was witnessing the large turnout from congregations across the Northern Illinois District. As a trustee of his congregation, Justin felt inspired by the collective energy and dedication of the attendees. “The members who attended the conference are excited to share our experience with the rest of our congregation.” The strong participation reminded him of the wider mission of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and reinforced his sense of belonging to a larger movement.
Justin was particularly interested in the session on recruiting volunteers, which provided practical ideas on moving beyond simple bulletin announcements to more active recruitment strategies. With about 100 people regularly attending services at his church, his challenge is to adapt strategies in ways which resonate with their smaller community. He and his team have already planned a luncheon to discuss the Summit’s takeaways and explore how they can implement new ideas, despite the potential hurdles of volunteer burnout and reluctance to change.
Ray Pemoller – St. Peter Lutheran Church, Gilberts
Ray Pemoller, Elder Chairman, was particularly inspired by the session on staffing challenges. While the presentation focused on pastoral vacancies, Ray realized that the same principles could be applied to lay leadership and staff in smaller congregations like his. One of his congregation’s biggest challenges is the financial strain of expanding the ministry team. To address this, Ray’s church has formed a committee to investigate the possibility of calling a Director of Christian Education (DCE).
In an effort to find a solution, Ray is exploring the idea of sharing a DCE with another congregation, potentially launching a pilot program which could be replicated in other small churches. “We would be willing to pilot this type of arrangement and work through the details of how we might make it work,” Ray explained. This collaborative mindset is key to his vision of how smaller congregations can grow by pooling resources and working together.
A Shared Vision for the Future
The experiences of these three leaders highlight both the shared inspiration and unique challenges faced by their congregations.
In this, remember you are not alone. As you step forward in your mission, you are surrounded by an army—a community of believers united through faith. Together, we move as one, connected by our shared belief in Christ and His purpose for us. We complement one another, bringing our unique gifts and strengths to bear, fulfilling what each of us lack. Through this faith connection, we hold each other accountable, ensuring that we remain faithful to the path ahead. Together, we are stronger, working as one body with different skill sets, but one unified goal: to Advance His Kingdom.
