The Effectiveness of Lay Leadership Development
The Lay Leadership Development (LLD) program of the Church of God has been a vital part of the Lanham (Md.), now Odenton Church of God, for the past eight years. It has been a method which the pastor and staff at Odenton have used to train and equip potential leaders for future ministry and training.
“Lay Leadership Development serves as a ministry tool to train potential leaders for ministry,” stated Don Bennett of the Church of God School of Ministry. “As a result of the LLD program, we have seen laymen grow and develop into great leaders for the kingdom of God. We have seen lay men and women become ushers, board of trustee members, treasurers, youth pastors, children’s pastors, greeters, women’s ministry leaders, music ministers, and serve in other ministry roles.” Referring specifically to the success record in the state of Maryland, Bennett said some have gone a step further by becoming lead pastors after obtaining licenses through the Church of God and planting churches in the regions of College Park and Crofton, and in Delaware. Lay Leadership Development has also provided the opportunity to train leaders who are serving overseas in the military and future leaders in Africa.
The Odenton Church of God is a strong example and advocate of the success of the Lay Leadership Development program. It has provided the tools needed to effectively train ministers to become the future leaders in the church, community, and world.
Bennett concluded his remarks by saying, “In the Gospel of Mark 16:15, the Word of God’s commission to the believers is to go into the world and preach the gospel baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Lay Leadership Development helps to provide the ministry training to go forward in this ministry call.”
For more information of the LLD program and other educational opportunities offered by Ministerial Development/School of Ministry, visit www.churchofgod.org and click on the education division under the Directories tab.
