DEVELOPING LEADERS UNDER THE LAITY
UMBRELLA
2019
OVERVIEW:
The following is
drawn from current resources outlining the course of training required for each
of these special laity based ministries. Included are approximate costs, and if
available in an online delivery format. At the conclusion are a series of
reflective questions concerning how we provide training, how accessible we are
making that training and suggestions for innovative ways of addressing training
needs of people across a wider socio-economic level.
LAY SERVANT TRAINING CYCLE
To become a
Certified Lay Servant (CLS), you must make initial application with church and
pastor, complete the Basic Course (an introduction to Lay Servant Ministries),
and then complete one Advanced course every three (3) years.
Requirements:
Ø
Initial (and periodic) applications and interviews
Ø
Annual Report to Charge Conference/District
Ø
Recertification every three (3) years
Ø
COSTS: Approximately $50.00 (Basic); $50 (for
advanced); Approximate $20 per textbook; additional costs may be incurred for
lodging, food and travel to 10 hour training event.
CERTIFIED LAY SPEAKER TRAINING CYCLE
To become certified
as a lay speaker (CLSp) you must complete a track of study that includes one
course from each of the following subject categories:
1. The BASIC Course for Lay Servant Ministries
2. Leading worship
† Leading Worship – Taylor Burton-Edwards
† Our Ministry of Leading Worship 101 (online*)
Beadisciple.com Approx. $85
3. Leading prayer
† Leading Public Prayer – Debra R. Tyree
† Leading Public Prayer (online) Approx. $70
4. Discovering spiritual gifts
†Discover Your Spiritual Gifts –
William J. Carter
† Rediscovering Our Spiritual Gifts (online)
Beadisciple.com Approx./ $75
5. Preaching
† Called to Preach – Dawn Chesser
†From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering an Effective
Sermon – Tony Franks and David Carroll
No online version
found
6. United Methodist Heritage
†Living Our United Methodist Beliefs –
George Hovaness Donigian
†Living Our United Methodist Beliefs (online)
Beasdisciple.com $75
7. United Methodist Polity
† Life Together in the United Methodist Connection –
Beth Galbreath
† Life Together in the United Methodist Connection
(online) $75
8. Other courses as MAY be determined by your annual
conference committee on lay servant ministries, or equivalent body.
Requirements:
Ø
Initial (and periodic) applications and interviews
Ø
Annual Report to Charge Conference/District
Ø
Recertification every three (3) years
Ø
COST: Approximately $595.00 ; locally offered classes
meeting requirements for this program may incur other costs - Approximate $25
per textbook; additional costs may be incurred for lodging, food and travel
to/from training event(s).
Ø
Online courses require access to the Internet and may
involve downloading a program called “Blackboard” that serves as course
delivery/portal.
CERTIFIED LAY MINISTER TRAINING
Certified Lay Minister (CLM) Course Materials
The General Board of
Discipleship and The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry have worked
together to develop the basic coursework to prepare leaders for this form of
ministry. The required coursework has four modules:
MODULE 1 Call and Covenant for Ministry
[Beadisciple.com $45 online; .pdf book $25.00]
Description:
Understanding of theology and call for ministry, exploring spiritual gifts, and
developing a ministry covenant. Minimum
Time: 30 hours
Module 2 The Practice of Ministry [Beadisciple.com $45 online; .pdf book $25.00]
Description: (4
Sections) Leading Worship, Preaching/Sharing Faith, Discipleship Ministries,
and Caring for a Congregation.
Minimum Time: 8
hours per section for a total of 32 hours
MODULE 3 Organization for Ministry [Beadisciple.com $45 online; .pdf book $25.00]
Description: Focus
on the leader's task of organizing a congregation for mission and ministry. It
provides specific guidance on topics central to a congregation's health.
Minimum Time: 8
hours
MODULE 4 Connection for Ministry [Beadisciple.com $45
online; .pdf book $25.00]
Description: United
Methodist theology, practice, and polity are explained with the roles of the
local congregation district, conference, and general church.
Minimum Time: 8
hours
Requirements:
Ø
Initial (and periodic) applications and interviews
Ø
Annual Report to Charge Conference/District Recertification
every two (2) years
Ø
Cost: $360.00 ; $100 for four .pdf based textbooks
(based on 4 modules ($180) and one module having four separate elements);
locally offered classes meeting requirements for this program may incur other
costs - Approximate $25 per textbook; additional costs may be incurred for
lodging, food and travel to/from training event(s). May be additional ‘onsite’
fees for local training.
Ø
Online courses require access to the Internet and may
involve downloading a program called “Blackboard” that serves as course
delivery/portal.
REFLECTIONS
Ø
Are we making training affordable and accessible to
everyone in an even handed manner that takes into consideration the overall
cost of attaining several of these ministry layers?
Ø
Are we considering other training that might be used
to meet these requirements? This is something that is noted as a
conference-by-conference choice in several documents.
INNOVATIONS
Ø
Utilize other training experiences.
Ø
Recognize previous classes, self-guided studies,
teaching, other learning experience, group sessions that address the same
subject areas as being able to fulfill the requirements of topics and/or
courses in these programs. Similar to the CEU framework but targeted to
specific courses allowing students to move through the program efficiently.
Ø
Set up short term courses in larger district churches
(hubs for fellowship, training and service) to be delivery points for people to
move quickly through the required coursework.
Ø
One day trainings (add 2-3 hours preclass required
reading and activity for total of 10 hours).
Ø
Create presentations (such as with a Powerpoint)
to allow students to move quickly and at their own pace through required
studies.
Ø
“Peer Training Groups” (the more experienced lay
servants/speakers) able to oversee training in these lay ministry areas.
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