Fall 2026 Webinars on Church Finance and Administration
Just as last year, the conference finance and administration office is offering a host of webinars to help churches with finance and administration. Topics include 2027 b…
Location: Brooke Road UMC 1404 Brooke Road Rockford, IL 61109
Lay Servant Ministries Classes
“Helping to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
Academy Schedule
Saturday, October 20,2018
7:30 - 8:00am Registration
8:00 - 8:30am Opening
8:30 - 4:45pm Class - including 2 breaks & lunch.
Sunday, October 21 ,2018
10:00am Worship at host church
1:00 - 4:15pm Class time
4:15 - 4:30pm Certificates & Closing
10 hours of classroom instruction are required for completion.
All Laity Are Welcome!
You do not need to participate in the Lay Servant Program to attend.
These courses will help you grow in your role as a layperson, developing and nurturing your spiritual gifts for the ministry of the church.
BASIC COURSES
Lay Servant Basic Course +*
Participants are invited 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 discipleship.
Ministerios de service laico Lay Servant Basic Course in Spanish.
ADVANCED COURSES
Living as a United Methodist (UM Heritage) +*
This advanced course is required to become a certified lay servant. Participants gain an understanding of the distinctive traditions and emphases of the United Methodist Church.
From Your Heart to Theirs *
Moving beyond the basics of public speaking and the foundations necessary for preparing an engaging sermon, this course also includes types of sermons, sermons for children, how to find a story, using the hymnal, and how to move from communications on paper to beyond the paper.
Living in God’s Household
Living in God's Household is a class about pastoral leadership in the Wesleyan tradition. Pastoral leadership is the ministry of caring for the household of God. All who follow Jesus Christ and seek to obey his teachings have the potential to be pastoral leaders for their congregation. They are spiritual, servant leaders who follow the example of Jesus. These are ordinary people. They are laity and clergy. They are people like you.
Planning Worship*
This course builds on Leading Worship, and it is grounded in the principles and practices of worship planning. Through a variety of activities, ideas, this course helps worship committees, planners, and designers evaluate the state of their current worship, get more people involved in the planning & designing process, explore the diverse designs of congregational worship, learn the history of worship, and utilize the arts and artists in worship.
+ required for Lay Speaker certification.
* required for Lay Servant certification.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Register online
For help, contact: Betsy Smith 815-561-8285
Fee is $45 by October 6, 2018 - $50 after October 6.
No refunds made after October 6.
Course materials will be mailed to you if the fee is paid at the time of registration. If you pay at the door, you will receive your material then.