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.