Called to Preach is for laity and clergy who are striving to build their preaching skills. It is a two-week course with insights into structure, content, and delivery, even if you are new to preaching, while offering a safe space to practice those skills, and without leaving home.
The course requires using Assignments and Discussion Boards in Blackboard. In addition to those daily Blackboard interactions, two required Zoom meetings will be held on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Eastern).
This course session will be led by Darla M. Thieler. Darla brings a focus on evangelism based on her training and experience in ministry since 1982.
This course will use the book From Pew to Pulpit: A Beginner’s Guide to Preaching, Clifton F. Guthrie
This class has been approved by Discipleship Ministries as an advanced course in Lay Servant Ministries. It is the “preaching” class required for Lay Speaker certification. (You are advised to contact your conference or district LSM office to make sure this course is approved for you.)
This course is eligible for 1.0 CEU.
Quick Info:
Number of weeks: 2
Price: $85
CEUs: 1.0
Required books: Yes
Blackboard: Yes
Zoom: Yes, required
Certification or Series: Yes (Lay Servant Ministries)
Read course description for details.
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Price: $85
Past Learners Said…
“This course helped me with my insecurity about preaching. The course materials were great and will be a valuable resource for my church.”
“It was thought provoking to determine which form would be best suited for a given scripture. I don’t think there is one absolute answer but if the speaker has a form and pattern, the content can be conveyed more strategically.”
“I can not wait for the opportunity to preach in my local church with the tools that I have learned in this class.”
“[This course] challenged me in ways that were helpful and encouraging. … The different ways of structuring a sermon, the need to sit with the scripture of a few days, the need to focus on what God is doing in the context and not what I/we are doing … all of these were most helpful.”
Meet the Instructors
Beth Perry
Rev. Beth Perry began preaching as a Lay Speaker in the mid-1980’s. She preached weekly through two-decades of pastoral ministry and has continued to be a frequent guest preacher. She has also preached through the pandemic in Zoom, Facebook, pre-recorded videos, and streamed services. She has been leading Called to Preach since Discipleship Ministries approved the online version for BeADisiciple. Several of her other courses are also approved as advanced courses in Lay Servant Ministries and meet requirements towards lay speaker status.
Darla Theiler
Mrs. Darla M. Thieler is the founder of Remnant Ministries, a multi-faceted outreach ministry founded in 1982. A Local Evangelist and Certified Lay Speaker with the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church, she serves as a Bible teacher, conference leader, inspirational speaker, praise & worship leader, composer, theater arts performer/director, and much more. She began teaching with BeADisciple in 2017 where she has received certifications in instruction and evangelism, and she has online teaching experience with her local community college. Darla also serves as Director of Music for Calvin United Presbyterian Church (PCUSA).
The heart of Remnant Ministries began with the ministry at the juvenile detention centers. Raised in the United Methodist tradition, Darla’s life changed forever when she attended a Christian concert at a district event at 13. Believing that every person is precious to God, Darla and her husband, George, continue sharing this same message of hope at every opportunity. Darla’s heartfelt desire is to bring glory and honor to God. Her prayer is that through the Living Word of God, others will come to a saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and all God’s children will be encouraged to make a deeper commitment to grow in their relationship with Him.
