A Picture of the Future of Lay Leadership
“Part of lay leadership is putting people in the right positions and leading them in the right direction,” says Rob Nelson, pastor of New Heights Lutheran Church in Mazomanie, Wis.
His observation reflects a growing recognition across the ELCA that effective ministry requires reimagining how churches develop and equip lay leaders. This shift is timely — research the Barna Group conducted to inform the work of God’s Love Made Real shows that congregations open to new ministry approaches are more successful at integrating newcomers and engaging their communities.
Breaking Down Barriers
Many congregations are finding success by moving away from rigid hierarchical structures. At New Heights, Nelson has replaced the traditional congregation council with a team-based approach that matches individuals’ gifts with ministry needs. The congregation uses focused teams for finance, operations and vision, with clear term limits “so people know exactly what they’re committing to,” he adds.
Similarly, leaders of Westwood Lutheran Church in Minneapolis intentionally position themselves not as experts with all the answers but as ministry partners who help congregants embrace their own agency and feel empowered to confidently live out their faith.
Pastors and staff have realized they can only do so much — but when they unleash the potential of their congregation, the impact is exponential.
“Generally, we talk about a shared leadership model here that [staff] might be the paid people, but we're going to help be a catalyst in helping this along,” explains Dannica Olsen, director of children, youth and family ministry. “As a part of the charge of the staff, it’s not ‘mine to do’ [alone] — it’s mine to get people to come along or to actually implement what it is we’re headed toward.”
Training That Transforms
When asked what feels empowering and equipping to him, particularly as a young adult lay leader, Gabe Wounded Head emphasizes leadership development that combines practical opportunities with relational support. While he values educational resources and volunteering experiences, he especially wants personal connections that help him wrestle with difficult questions.
Wounded Head’s perspective on change within the church reveals a deeper understanding of why congregations sometimes struggle — it’s not because desire is lacking but rather a sense of inability due to situations such as exhaustion, financial strain and overwhelming demands.
Drawing from his positive experience of mentorship through his father, the Rev. Herb Wounded Head, and other leaders, Gabe Wounded Head uses the metaphor of a rolling snowball to describe effective change: Rather than expecting immediate transformation, rostered ministers and lay leaders alike should lean into the patient, persistent work of building momentum over time.
Small Steps Toward Greater Progress
Successful lay leadership development goes beyond filling positions. It requires creating a culture where all members can discover their gifts, develop their skills and deploy their leadership for mission.
“There is so much ‘doing’ that needs to be done in the world,” says Sister Noreen Stevens, who recently retired as directing deaconess of the ELCA Deaconess Community. She knows firsthand the service and strength of nonclergy — even when they take a back seat to more elevated ministry roles. “How are we celebrating the little ‘doings’ that are happening?” she asks. “How are we paying attention to them?”
Some innovative approaches already happening in bright-spot congregations and ministries across the ELCA include:
- Providing small grants for leaders to implement community projects.
- Creating co-leadership roles in worship and ministry.
- Offering practical skill development in conflict transformation and active listening.
- Ensuring leaders can immediately apply what they learn.
While these approaches show promise, churches acknowledge the ongoing challenges. Creating truly inclusive environments, especially around racial and ethnic diversity, remains a work in progress. Additionally, adapting to changing demographics among congregants requires constant listening and flexibility.
The transformation doesn’t happen overnight, but these leaders are encouraged to keep going.
“Part of the equipping [means] you take the awkwardness out of it,” Olsen says. “Like when you ride a bike the first time, it’s hard and awkward, you fall and get skinned knees. But eventually, you get the hang of it, and it’s not as difficult.”
