The Most Dangerous Phrase in the Church

Sunday, September 22, 2019

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.

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Expanded Training

Changes in recent years now mean that ANYONE may take an ADVANCED COURSE or the BASIC COURSE before committing to become a formally recognized CERTIFIED LAY SERVANT.

This is beneficial for people just thinking about moving to a more intentional and trained level of Christian service in the particular setting and for pastors, deacons who need continuing education or just want to learn something new as part of their life long learning plans.

LSM training is also an excellent choice for teens and college age individuals who would like to be more active and skilled in acting out their faith and doing the work of the Gospel.

The Basic Steps in the Lay Servant Ministries:

1) Talk to Local pastor and Take the Basic Course

2) Take an Advanced Course

3) Doing both provides Certification as a Lay Servant

4) Submit a Report to Pastor and Charge Conference

5) Renewal with an Advanced Course once every 3 years (online or from regional training events)

Those wishing to go further may consider following the Lay Speaker Track:

1) Talk to pastor

2) Take specific Advanced Courses (about 7 of them)

3) Be interviewed by the District Lay Servant Committee or other appointed group

4) Submit an annual report to Pastor and Charge Conference

Those who find they want to go even further can consider the process of becoming a Certified Lay Minister. This requires larger amounts of study from specific blocks of subject matter, more interviews and a little longer time frame. Talk to your pastor, contact your District Lay Servant Ministries person and pray to see where God might be leading you.

Lay Servants - A Fellowship

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Sunday, September 22, 2019