Improving the Instruction

One of the truest statements made : 'The mind takes in only as much as the backside endures."  The truth of the matter is that most learning situations use one of two models: the lecture model with the facilitator at the front or key point at the table and students waiting to have knowledge poured into them, or they utilize a round-robin style that solicits a lot of interaction and opinion or experience sharing but does little to carry the topic home to students.

What is first required is a clear idea of the purpose of LSM in all its incarnations (Servant, Speaker, Lay Minister) in the life of the church individually and corporately. Review the 2016 BOD legislation for some clarity on this. Then the most important next step is developing an idea of where the training should take the student. What are the expected outcomes to be demonstrated in the life and faithful living of these Lay Servants and Lay Speakers?

Two key factors are vital to improving the quality of both learning and teaching.  The first quality is the outcome. At the conclusion of the class being taught what should be the student's 'take-away' to take home with them and put to work or to being to implement in their life?

Consider the overall content of the book, how it fits into the training process and how to make practical what can be oft times very abstract topics.  If the book is one of those meeting the Lay Speaker subject categories (Prayer, Preaching, Worship, Spiritual Gifts, Heritage, Polity) what are some ways those can be utilized in the local church where the Lay Servant or Lay Speaker worships?

The second quality is addressing the various ways people learn in a class setting. Some people need to talk things out, some need time to think about information received, some learn best by hearing, some need to get up and be active, others need to write it all out and others need to see visuals to process information most effectively. Some meld it all together and can go with any style of instruction; others, have a distinct need for one of the styles mentioned.

These can be addressed by shifting the ebb and flow of classroom life: break into small groups, allow some to go elsewhere (hallway, empty space, etc.), encourage creative brainstorming of ideas and understandings, ask open ended questions "How can you take this back to your congregation and model it for them? How might you motivate or inspire others with this information?"

A One Day Training Model

This model allows participants to engage in study, lectures and activities related to training as a Lay Servant/ Lay Speaker through a one-day model. It requires pre-work of reading, answering questions about the reading assignment and then submission of those responses on the day of the training.

Sample pre-class work might include :
(1) Reading designated chapters of text and answering two or more reflective questions raised in the reading or in end of chapter questions; 
(2) Responding thoughtfully and prayerfully about the topic(s) raised by the text and how the attendee might see the subject used in the local church; 
(3) Other appropriate activities or readings as designated.

SAMPLE AGENDA FOR A ONE-DAY TRAINING EVENT

7:30 - 8:00 /Coffee  & Registration
8:00 - 8:30 /Welcome As a Group (Share information, future plans, prayer, etc.)
8:30 - 10:30 /Class (Session 3-4 ;Pre-Assignments can cover parts 1-3)
10:30-10:45 Break
10:45 - 12:00 /Class (Sessions 3-4)
12:00 - 12:45 Lunch (Onsite for quicker return to the classes to meet requirements)
12:45 -  2:15/ Class (Session 4-5)
2:15 - 3:15/ Class  (Session 4-5)
3:15 - 4:15 /Class with Breaks (include here reviews, Q&A, evaluations, etc)
4:15 - 5:30 Communion with Commissioning Service (A highly motivational and more energetic model is recommended).

[Alternate models could be a later start time and adjusting for a later end to the event]

SERMON ; KILLERS IN THE CHURCH

THEME: Conflict, hate, spite, unChristian behaviors, redemption,

Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any one be in Christ, that one is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Killers in the Church

I can see the heads swirling around now checking the corners and the hallways. No, there is no mad monster with a power saw and a Halloween mask stalking the halls leaving beheaded corpses in his wake. These killers can walk the halls of church killing with words, with condemnation, with hate, greed, malice, and selfishness.

Yes, a killer walks but not that horror film stereotype kind. This killer can be just as deadly.

The killer portrayed in the movies if often based ons that personality type that professionals call the psychopath or sociopath. Some sources indicate as many as 1 in every 25 people is a psychopath and others say that it is 1 in every 5. .

Simply put, these are people who lack certain elements of their makeup associated with the best of human nature. They lack sympathy, and empathy, they are manipulative, they lie, they are self-centered, and their own needs come first. They tend to excel in certain fields where those qualities are valued. Not all psychopaths or sociopaths become killers but those qualities when abuse, neglect and other factors enter to shape a life can become just that.

Those qualities, however, are opposite to what a Christian is to be. When we have envy, strife, unkindness and other conflicts in the church we act contrary to what a Christian means. When we root ourselves into positions that demand we have our way and not give or compromise on nonessential issues we are not being Christlike. We are functioning from our corrupt and flawed human nature. The nature has to change but how? How does human nature change to become something totally different, better, kinder, purer, and more loving?

The Gospel speaks of being born anew, the book of Romans stresses the need for transformation by allowing Christ to consume the human nature changing it into His own, and Corinthians and the Letters of John warn of what happens when this does not happen.

What happens is there are killers in the church. There are people who are hard at work slaying the souls, the hope, and the dreams of those in the community of faith. They stalk like a hungry lion, leaping out when least expected and shredding human hearts.

They are often invisible, the classic mild next door neighbor who never caused any trouble, until they are captured and charged with a string of horrific murders.

The weapon for such stalking killers in the church is prayer and an ever deepening spiritual relationship with the God who saves, makes new ,
and brings love.

The Most Dangerous Phrase in the Church

"We've always done it this way." Mike Slaughter once wrote that we tend to confuse our ministry with our methods. When we make our methods our understanding of ministry we shut the door on how the Holy Spirit make be working in hearts to cast new visions and new forms of ministry to reach current people in modern society.

In watching the popular British serial, Downton Abbey, one of the characters is a caustic elderly woman who is dismayed by the harsh glare of that new fangled electric light Give her back the amber glow of the candles or the gaslight!

We do not complain about having the comfort of of heat and air in church but we so often complain about bringing music from after the year 1869!  We do not complain about the soft cushions on hard wooden pews but we do complain about casual dress in the preacher!

When Jesus came he carried with a message that said he was going to do a new thing! That is what the work of the Holy Spirit is all about : birthing dreams and stirring creativity to reach new people in new ways in new times with same ageless message of hope and love and grace that is the Gospel.

Lay Servants: What Can They Do?

Innovative Approaches to Lay Servant Ministry Training : A Conversation Starter

At present most conferences utilize a Friday night, and all day Saturday approach to District training

events. In some places it works better than others. There are specific demands to be met:

1. Is there local housing (at church, camp or local motels)
2. Is there food available (provided by church group, catered, or local restaurants)
3. Is the venue large enough to house several classes, perhaps also host other district meetings or trainings to maximize advertisement and other costs
4. How far is the travel for the event

Online courses are already available but to offer some challenges due to cost of course, added text, and need to download programs to a computer. People without computers or without ones able to work with the downloaded programs have problems.

There is the assumption that all LSM courses should be taught by clergy. Not all clergy have the skills, interest or time for such. Peer LSM's and Certified Lay Ministers could easily be used to  accomplish the same goal and they would have a vested interest in the program and the mission of the LSM.

There are other methods that could be explored and given permissive approval by appropriate governing bodies.

1. Saturday Seminar.  This would be a one day event with required 2-3 hour pre-class assignments. If a worship and certificate time is included in the one day then it should be 7 hours with 3 hours pre-class work assignement (readings or other activity).

2. Five week Wednesday night Class in a community with a larger church easily reached by all or part of a District. Larger Districts might consider creating 'parishes', 'clusters', etc. with a 'hub' church to insure no one has to drive too far to get needed training.

3. Two Sunday Afternoons or Evenings. Similar structure to #2.

LSM BOOKS: Suggested Reads

LSM BOOKS:Advanced Course

Lay Servants as Christian Transformational Leaders is an excellent book that allows the laity to learn more about the processes and methods their clergy counterparts have had presented to them for decades.

On the plus side is that it provides some useful information, presents some of the challenges and possibilities in positive spirit based transformational change for the local church and its mission.

On the negative side is the reality that for many lay people this is totally new territory. In many ways they have been conditioned for decades to think a long certain paths that have proven to be ineffective. To now question, revise and transform those patterns of thinking can create stress and confusion. In many ways, lay people and their clergy counterparts will have to be given "permission" to think outside the box, to see trends and statistics in their real form (instead slanted best for reports as can be the case) and to learn to see what God wants us to do rather than what competition with others, culture or other influences might tell us are the way to operate.

I would recommend this as an excellent course to be taught in the local church to an adult, young adult or even teen class.

LSM in Action : Jesus Dollars

In one church a special missions effort was launched and was addressed through a clever approach. A lantern was set on the altar and people were urged to search the bills in their wallet for those with a "J" on them. These 'Jesus Dollars' were often joined by $5, $10, and $20 dollar bills! It added a bit of fun and intention to their giving as they tackled an 'above the budget' opportunity.

LMS in Action: New Ways

One church in celebrating Lent used church created art work to build multi dimensional 'Stations of the Cross.'  Items to touch, music to hear, words to read, places to leave post-it note prayers, and light to illuminate the experience - time to pray.  The community was invited to add something different to their Lent and Easter celebration. Free materials, prayer guides, etc. were made available.

LMS In Action : The Heart of Art

In several locations churches have utilized art as a means of reaching out and connecting with their community. In one place, Oklahoma City' Wesley UMC, a special program was funded through a grant called "Paint and Pray".  People gathered for a devotion, prayer and then had opportunities to express the heart of the devotion through painting. One woman, in her 70's had never painted before and was deeply inspired.  Another person, at one time homeless, found was to express her pain and her healing in new and dynamic ways and share them with others. The grant funded all supplies and instructors were volunteers from the church and the community. Over time, many other forms of artistic creativity were added for even greater meaning and enrichment.

LSM - In Action - Community Spiritual and Need Outreach

In one location a ministry in the community held weekly services under an overpass where homeless people congregated.  They began to bring a meal and feed all who needed food in the area: single homeless individuals, families, everyone. They held a worship service, with praise songs and prayer.  Clothing appropriate for the season was made available as were donated replacement backpacks, tote bags, coats, shoes, and jackets. Partnerships between denominations provided the necessary food, clothing, and music/worship leaders.

LSM - In Action - Community Meal Ministry

Community Breakfast or Meal

"Feeding the Hungry" can be something easily done by every church through generosity and grace.

The generosity is sharing with others and caring about others more than caring about our own needs.

The grace is recognizing our role is not judge others or label them but to simply reach out and help cloth, feed, and love them. We do not look at where people come from but where we can lead them...and that is to Christ and New Life.

Lay Servants

Explaining Lay Servant Ministries, Chuck Knows...

Lay Ministers

Church Knows - Certified Lay Ministers