Meeting people where they are: A journey of faith and service through lay ministry

By Kristian Snyder, Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministries | Email

It is a joy and a humbling responsibility to begin serving as the new Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministries for the Upper New York Annual Conference. As I begin this new role following in the footsteps of Linda Barczykowski, I find myself reflecting on where I come from, the people who have shaped my faith and ministry, and the many ways God has continued to open doors for me to serve.

My journey in the conference is rooted in the Cornerstone District. I grew up in South Ripley United Methodist Church, a congregation that is now closed, and later became part of Ripley United Methodist Church. These churches were not simply places where I attended worship; they were places where I learned what it means to be part of the body of Christ. Through serving in various leadership roles, I had the opportunity to learn from others, take on responsibilities, make mistakes, grow, and discover more about how God was calling me to serve.

Today, that journey continues. I am serving as a district hire under assignment at Kennedy First United Methodist Church while continuing to serve in a variety of roles across the conference. I have had the privilege of serving and participating on multiple conference and district teams and serving as an associate to Niagara Frontier and Cornerstone District Superintendent, the Rev. Mary Kelly. Each of these experiences has given me opportunities to meet people from different churches and communities, hear their stories, and better understand both the challenges and the possibilities facing our churches.

Those experiences have also shaped how I understand lay ministry.

Lay ministry is not simply about filling a position or completing a task. It is about people. It is about recognizing that God has called and gifted every person in the church in different ways. It is about equipping people to use those gifts and encouraging them to see that their ministry matters.

As the Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministries, I am looking forward to working alongside our district teams to strengthen and expand that understanding. I want to help empower and equip laity to work with their fellow laity in their districts, their local churches, and throughout Upper New York. I also want to support our clergy as they equip and encourage the people they serve to participate fully in the work of The United Methodist Church.

At the heart of this work is something that has become increasingly important to me throughout my own journey: meeting people where they are.

Every person comes to the Church with a different story. Some are lifelong members. Some are just beginning to explore their faith. Some are looking for a place to serve. Others may be struggling to understand where they fit within the Church or what God might be calling them to do next.

Before we can equip people for ministry, we need to listen.

I want to hear your stories. I want to hear about your experiences in the Church, your hopes, questions, struggles, and dreams for the future. Most importantly, I want to hear what you need as you continue along your faith journey.

I believe Lay Servant Ministries can play an important role in creating those opportunities. Training is important as is leadership development, resourcing, and education. Those things become even more meaningful when they begin with relationship building and listening.

I hope that, together with our district teams, we can create opportunities for people to discover their gifts, develop their skills, grow in their faith, and find meaningful ways to serve. Whether that ministry happens in a local congregation, across a district, throughout the conference, or simply in the everyday places where we live and work, it matters.

I am grateful for the churches, leaders, clergy, laity, and communities that have been part of my own journey. South Ripley and Ripley helped shape me. The Cornerstone District gave me opportunities to grow and serve. My work across the conference has introduced me to countless people whose stories have continued to teach and challenge me. And now, I look forward to beginning this next chapter alongside all of you.

Much work lies ahead, but there is also much to be excited about.

My prayer is that together we can continue building a culture where laity are not simply asked to fill vacancies or complete tasks, but are recognized, equipped, encouraged, and empowered to live out their calling as disciples of Jesus Christ.

I look forward to meeting you, hearing your story, and walking with you as we discover where God is calling us next.