Lay Servant Academy
Looking to sharpen your skills as a leader in your Church? Enroll in the upcoming Lay Servant Academy today!
Date: Saturday, March 15
Time: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: McGaheysville UMC
Basic Course – Instructor, Linda Conrad, Otterbein UMC, Harrisonburg
Book: Lay Servant Ministries, Sandy Jackson and Brian Jackson
Available at: Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course Participant’s | Cokesbury, $11.99, Kindle, $9.99
This is the gateway course for all Lay Servant Ministries training. It is required for anyone who wants to pursue certification, but it also can be helpful to those in church leadership positions or for those who might be considering certification. You will be expected to read the book prior to the class meeting.
Preaching – Instructor, – Rev. Stephen Creech, Manor Memorial UMC
Book: From Pew to Pulpit, A Beginner’s Guide to Preaching, Clinton F. GuthrieAvailable: Amazon, $10.49, Kindle, $8.99
This course prepares you to write and deliver sermons. There will be extensive preparatory work prior to the class day. On the day of the class, you will deliver a sermon and get feedback from the instructor and your classmates. This is a required course for those wishing to be Certified Lay Speakers. It counts toward re-certification as a lay servant or lay speaker. We will limit registrations to six for this class.
Spiritual Gifts – Instructor, Rev. Joseph Plemmons, John Wesley UMC, Front Royal
Book: For the Common Good
Available: The Upper Room Store & Resource Library – For the Common Good $14 for paperback. Also available as an e-book.
This is one of the six required courses to become a Certified Lay Speaker. It also will count towards recertification. The Spiritual Gifts class goes more deeply into identifying and applying the gifts God gave us as we live out our commitment to serving Christ. It is one of the six required courses to be certified as a lay speaker. You will be expected to read the book prior to the class.
Storytelling – Instructor, Wendell Cochran, Keezletown UMC.
Book: Dancing with Words, Ray Buckley
Available: The Upper Room Store & Resource Library – Dancing with Words, $14.
Faith is carried down through the ages by stories, some as old as Creation itself. Being an effective storyteller can enhance your ministry. In this class you will learn the fundamentals of storytelling, and practice creating and telling stories for a variety of settings, including sermons. This is an advanced course that will count towards re-certification as a lay servant or lay speaker. In addition to reading the text prior to the class, you can expect some homework.
Resources
Ministry can be complicated! We've compiled a list of resources here that will help you navigate the systems designed to make you successful. As always, reach out to the District Office with any questions.
Types of Lay Servants
There are 3 types of Lay Servants. This document compares them for the purpose of helping you discern the type of Lay Servant God is calling you to become.
Access the Lay Servant Comparison SheetHelp with Charge Conference
Access a step-by-step guide for Lay Servant and Lay Speaker Charge Conference Reports.Lay Servant Committee Leadership
This is the District Lay Leadership Board. If you're a lay person interested in becoming more involved with ministry, these folks are here for you.
Co-chair Wendell Cochran
Mount Jackson UMC
Co-chair Rev. Gary Heaton
Co-chair Rev. Gary Heaton
William Braddy
Mount Hermon UMC
Deb Washer
McGaheysville
David Gordon
Aisle 7 (Verona UMC)
Susan Schall
Co-District Associate Lay Leader and Lay Servant Committee Member