When this church lost its minister, these ordinary churchgoers stepped up to save it
Facing a crisis of leadership, a handful of congregants in Freshwater, N.L., became leaders themselves. In doing so, they say, they've found a model for the many other churches in the province in the same boat.
![When this church lost its minister, these ordinary churchgoers stepped up to save it](https://i.cbc.ca/1.7053471.1702059709!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/lay-ministers-of-freshwater-united-church.jpg)
![These five lay ministers take turns on Sundays to run Freshwater United Church services. Clockwise from left, they are Jennifer Adams, David Reitkoetter, David Moriarty, Andrew Peacock and Lynne Priddle. Five people stand in the doorway of a wooden church.](https://i.cbc.ca/1.7053471.1702059709!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/lay-ministers-of-freshwater-united-church.jpg)
Facing a crisis of leadership, a handful of congregants in Freshwater, N.L., became leaders themselves. In doing so, they say, they've found a model for the many other churches in the province in the same boat.