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.

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.

MEC160 – Let’s Talk: Growing as Disciples Through the Lay Servant Ministries Program

Church Administration & Leadership, Courses

Whether you are a layperson seeking to understand how you fit into the church ministries and missions, or a layperson discerning certification as a Certified Lay Servant, Certified Lay Speaker, or Certified Lay Minister, this foundational course will help you understand how lay ministry roles are connected in this call to serve, and the active role laity play in the ministries and missions of the church.

LSM391 – Creating a Discipleship Growth Plan to See All the People

Church Administration & Leadership, Courses, Lay Servant Ministries

In the Great Commission, Jesus told his followers to ‘go and make disciples,’ We add programs, stream our services, blend our music, but do we provide intentional discipleship growth opportunities? This advanced Lay Service Ministries course will help you develop a means to promote intentional discipleship growth in your congregation. We will look at what it means to be a disciple, and you will be able to connect the stages of growth of a disciple with the characteristics of a disciple. By the end of the course, you will have the tools you need to develop an intentional discipleship system to revitalize and grow your congregation.

MEC104 – Safer Sanctuaries

Church Administration & Leadership, Courses, Lay Servant Ministries

This two-week course is for church leaders who have the responsibility of creating Safer Sanctuary policy and procedures for their settings. It is intended to equip leaders to create safe spaces for the entire congregation, including children, youth, vulnerable adults, and those in ministry with them. You will explore how to recruit a team with the task of creating a foundation of caring and nourishing for your church and community, and learn specific elements to include in Safer Sanctuaries.

LSM265 – Loving People and Planet in God’s Name

Church Administration & Leadership, Courses, Lay Servant Ministries

This course invites learners to deepen their biblical, theological and scientific understanding of God’s call to care for creation and work for climate and environmental justice for all people. Learners will learn how to speak about the deepening climate crisis with love, and take active steps toward environmental justice, both personally and with others in their congregations and social settings.

LSM223 – For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts

Church Administration & Leadership, Courses, Lay Servant Ministries

Dive into practical activities to explore spiritual grace gifts. You will see how these gifts help you serve in your own unique way, and how combining your gifts with others can make a real difference for everyone. Spiritual grace gifts aren’t just about personal growth—they are also key to the mission and ministry of the church. Whether you are just starting to learn about spiritual gifts or you have been using them for a while and want to go deeper, this course will help you better understand the special abilities God gives us to love and serve others.

LSM224 – Lay Servants as Christian Transformational Leaders

Church Administration & Leadership, Courses, Lay Servant Ministries

This course begins the journey of transformational servant leadership that sees beyond the present to a future that God created and redeemed through Jesus. As each congregation chooses how it will respond to its current reality, the lay ministry shapes its response to become transformed leaders following Jesus’ model of servant leadership.