LSM298 – Life Together in the United Methodist Connection

Church Administration & Leadership, Courses, Lay Servant Ministries

There is a big change in the global structure of the United Methodist Church: the regionalization constitutional amendments have been ratified. Details of what that means for the church in the United States are being worked out, and it’s an exciting time to be studying our church polity! This course will cover where we are now, what comes next for our denomination, and what will not change at all for our congregations. It will help church leaders and longtime members lead and help newcomers get their bearings. Our goal will be to understand how we serve and fulfill God’s call through Wesleyan organizational principles and connections with our local annual conferences. We’ll explore how such principles help our congregations be a place and a people that embody the Kingdom of God.

LSM153 – From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering an Effective Sermon (Friday Zoom)

Courses, Lay Servant Ministries, Music & Worship Ministry

From Your Heart to Theirs is for laity and clergy who are striving to expand their preaching abilities. It is a two-week course with insights into the connection of scripture with events and experiences, even if you haven’t preached that way before, while offering a safe space to practice those skills, and without leaving home.

CLM101 – CLM Module One: Call and Covenant for Ministry

Certified Lay Ministry, Church Administration & Leadership, Courses

Are you called to Certified Lay Ministry? Are you called to lead discipleship programs, accountability groups, or even to help serve small membership churches? CLM Module One: Call and Covenant for Ministry examines United Methodist theology and ordering of ministry, along with the role of the Certified Lay Minister and other leadership concerns. Alongside fellow students, you will discover how CLMs “fit” into the big picture of ministry in the United Methodist Church and, through conversation with your fellow students and with instructor guidance, you’ll begin the process of discerning your own call.

MEC332 – Sacred Tension Reading Group

Biblical Studies, Courses, Lay Servant Ministries

This six-week course is designed for learners who want to read William P. Brown’s book Sacred Tension in community with an instructor and other learners. The course will provide a schedule for reading the book so you can read and reflect on the material throughout the week, then share your reflections with others. It may be of special interest if you have taken the “Teaching Sacred Tension to Local Congregations” course, allowing you to familiarize yourself with the whole book before leading a course in your local church.

MEC272 – Old Testament Through a Different Lens: The Prophets/Nevi’im

Biblical Studies, Courses

This course examines Scripture through lenses other than those familiar to us as Christians. It looks at the Prophets—from Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings, to the major and minor prophets of the Old Testament—and connects them to the contexts and experiences of ancient and modern Israel. It will focus on the “bad” kings, the heroes, the judges, the building of the nation into a unified monarchy and its dissolution. You will discover the many times Israel was invaded and dispersed in antiquity and see the role of prophetic voices in the exile/captivity, as well as learning more about how God works in the lives of Biblical figures. Finally, it will bring the insights of these ancient prophets into a modern context.