The Learning Lab session “See, Discern, Collaborate” opened with Ismael Ruiz-Milan, NC Conference Connectional Ministries director, introducing the afternoon’s speaker, Rev. Dr. Lydia Muñoz. An elder in the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference, Muñoz serves as Executive Director of The Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry for The United Methodist Church.
Muñoz began by challenging a fundamental assumption about church growth. Rather than viewing congregational development as a linear progression—plant a church, then grow it—she invited participants to reimagine development as a dynamic process that can occur at any stage of a congregation’s life. The key insight: churches must position themselves as mission central rather than being self-focused.
Her presentation centered on three transformative actions: see, discern, and collaborate.
See: Building Community Connections
Congregational development begins with genuine observation and input from the surrounding community. Muñoz encouraged participants to identify key stakeholders in their areas—business leaders, educators, community matriarchs, and patriarchs. She emphasized watching how communities naturally coalesce around certain individuals, organizations, or even local gathering places like restaurants.
These stakeholders represent vital relationship-building opportunities because congregational development cannot flourish in isolation. Churches must extend their vision beyond their walls to create meaningful connections within their neighborhoods.
Discern: Creating Space for Community Wisdom
Once relationships have developed and deepened, the crucial work of discernment begins. This process requires church leaders to step back and create space for others to step forward. Muñoz proposed a radical approach: inviting community members to church leadership team meetings to share their perspectives on local needs and opportunities.
She illustrated this principle with a powerful example from her own ministry. When church leaders opened themselves to community input, a neighborhood resident pointed out the church’s beautiful front lawn while noting that local children had no safe place to play. This conversation led to transforming the pristine grass into a community playground. Such authentic dialogue creates sacred spaces where discernment can flourish.
Collaborate: Joining God’s Work Already in Progress
The final element involves collaboration with existing community groups. Muñoz offered an essential reminder: God is already at work in every community before the church arrives. She encouraged leaders to watch for signs of people creating joy amid difficult circumstances, because joy represents the strength of life itself—a form of resurrection.
She encouraged churches to join in this community joy rather than create separate programs. When congregations align themselves with existing sources of hope and celebration, congregational development can truly thrive.
From Furniture to Impact
Muñoz concluded with a provocative question for participants: Does your church want to be a piece of furniture in the community, or do you want to create genuine impact?
Congregational development follows a positive cycle: relationship building leads to space making, which expands through collaboration. When churches embrace this approach, they discover ministry partnerships with their communities that benefit everyone involved.
Churches across the North Carolina Conference now have a roadmap for this transformative work—one that begins with truly seeing their neighbors, creates space for community wisdom, and joins in the joy that God is already creating in their midst.