Training Opportunities
Upcoming Trainings - Conference Offerings
Upcoming Training Event
Mountain View Lay Servant Ministry Training - One Day In Person Training Event
Spring is a great time for renewal and revival of our service as laity. It's a time to remember who we are and how we live out our beliefs in mission in our communities as United Methodists. Lay Servant Ministry training is a chance to join with other local church leaders to become better equipped to serve our congregations and the wider connection.
Laity of the Mountain View District will have three courses to choose from on Saturday, April 13 at Bethlehem UMC in Moneta. We will gather starting at 8:30am and classes will begin promptly at 9am. Lunch will be served and the coursework will end with worship at 4:00. For more information on ordering the book and to register, email Chris Howell at mountainviewlayservants@gmail.com
Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course, Chris Howell, Certified Lay Servant
The Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course is a foundational course designed to equip new church leaders and renew current leaders in The United Methodist Church. It explores personal spiritual gifts, servant leadership, each leader's role in developing future leaders, the importance of consistent spiritual practices, the core ministries of Leading, Caring, and Communicating and much more.
Book: https://store.upperroom.org/product/lay-servant-ministries-basic-course-participant-s-book
Leading Worship, Rev. Leigh Anne Taylor
The course will study the basic pattern of United Methodist worship within the broader context of Christian worship. The book explains basic resources for planning and leading worship; gives the basic pattern of UM worship and its origins; gives practical suggestions how to renew and revitalize worship; helps pastors and laity be effective leaders in planning and revitalizing worship; helps us understand and communicate the uniqueness of UM worship; and helps pastors and lay leadership lead their congregation into a deeper and richer experience of God through worship. Rev. Taylor has a rich history in leading worship including extensive experience with worship music.
Book: https://store.upperroom.org/product/worshiping-with-united-methodists (Upper Room has them backordered but you can find HERE on Amazon)
Lay Pastoral Care Giving, Rev. Susan Hannah
A distinguished historian, academic and occasional evangelist was hushed by his stunned wife after he said to a friend he was visiting in the hospital, "I hope you don't die." A sentiment delivered sincerely but oh-so-awkwardly! Expressing care to someone in need—whether within the community of faith or beyond—may seem the most natural thing in the world. For some, it is; for others, it's less so. All can improve. Learn to reach out with God's love and care for others as outlined in this course and its practical book.
Book: https://store.upperroom.org/product/lay-pastoral-care-giving
* Courses will be one day followed by a reflection paper due by the end of April. Please acquire and read the book prior to class. Feel free to get the book from your favorite bookseller, the Upper Room link is provided as one possible source!
Other Online Training Available
Be A Disciple has many course offerings for Lay Servant Ministries. You can view their current offerings by following this link. The courses are generally two weeks long and utilize Blackboard as the classroom interface. The cost is approximately $75 plus the cost of the course book which is generally about $11. You must obtain the book prior to the start of class - each course description gives information about the title/ISBN# of the book and they are all currently available through the Be A Disciple website.