Jesus taught us to love one another, to care for each other, and to bring the good news to the world. 
Our calling to be servants of Jesus Christ and servant leaders has not changed even though the name has.
The 2012 General Conference of The United Methodist Church adopted resolutions that changed the name of Lay Speaking Ministries to Lay Servant Ministries. Lay Servant Ministry is our United Methodist system for lay leadership development and includes lay speaking as one of the certifications. The basic and advanced courses are designed to help develop skills in witnessing to the Christian faith through spoken communication, church and community leadership, and care-giving ministries. Specific coursework is required to become a lay speaker, if desired. (General Board of Discipleship Brochure)
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SHAWNEE VALLEY DISTRICT
Training Opportunities Around the West Ohio Conference
(CLICK ON THE TITLE TO DOWNLOAD A FORM OR CLICK ON "REGISTER ONLINE" )
BASIC COURSES |
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INTRODUCTION TO LAY SERVANT MINISTRIES This course is foundational for all courses in Lay Servant Ministries. Participants are encouraged to discover and employ personal spiritual gifts as God intended and to consider the importance of exercising servant leadership, developing future leaders, remaining rooted in consistent spiritual practices, and being part of a group that holds members accountable in their discipleship |
| TBA |
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INTRODUCTION TO LAY SERVANT MINISTRIES This course is foundational for all courses in Lay Servant Ministries. Participants are encouraged to discover and employ personal spiritual gifts as God intended and to consider the importance of exercising servant leadership, developing future leaders, remaining rooted in consistent spiritual practices, and being part of a group that holds members accountable in their discipleship |
ADVANCED COURSES |
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TBA |
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LEADING PUBLIC PRAYER (core) Praying in public can be daunting, but prayer is something one learns. This course on praying in public will help the participant grow in confidence and skill in public prayer and enrich their personal prayer life. |
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LIVING OUR UNITED METHODIST BELIEFS (core) This course will explore the special gifts of theology, witness, and organization that The United Methodist Church brings to the church universal, how we got where we are today, and how our distinctive emphases are still needed in the 21st-century church |
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ACCOUNTABLE DISCIPLESHIP This course focuses on the concept of the household of God, Scripture as divine revelation, Wesleyan understandings of grace, and the importance of the class leader in the development of the Methodist movement. |
| TBA |
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LIFE TOGETHER IN THE UNITED METHODIST CONNECTION (core) This course gives participants an overview of the structure and organization of The United Methodist Church. A copy of the 2016 Book of Discipline is recommended for both the online and text version of this course |
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CLASS LEADERS This course will explore the office of class leader in the Wesleyan Methodist tradition. It examines the need for recovering the lay pastoral ministry of the class leader for the 21st-century church.
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DISCOVERING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS (core) This course helps participants understand spiritual gifts and how the church can use them to fulfill its mission and ministry. Participants will also learn what it means to be a spiritual leader and will be equipped to lead others in exploring and using their spiritual gifts |
Basic courses must be completed before registering for an advanced course.*
*Anyone may take any course, but taking an Advanced Course before completing the Basic requirements may not count towards certification