Register for classes online by clicking on the links in the course descriptions below. Questions? Contact Jeff Clinger at jclinger@greatplainsumc.org or 785-272-9111. Your course registration confirmation email will list required and recommended texts for your class. You will be responsible for obtaining the books you need.
The coursework for the 4 Modules can be found through the BeADisciple website. The three additional classes (Old Testament, New Testament, and Preaching), as well as others, may be found on the course schedule page. The Academy for Small Membership Church Ministries courses can be found at www.tasmcm.org.lay-training.
Online access for courses will be sent by email at least one day prior to the start of the course.
Each course costs $50. Payment can be made online during registration, or by check.
To ensure the best possible course experience, please review the Online Learning System Requirements page.
Not sure what a certified lay minister is? Read this brochure.
Courses are $50 each.
Designed for United Methodist Certified Lay Ministers (CLM). This course is designed to help CLM students learn how to engage in a critical reading of the biblical text. The course by its nature will focus on readings from the New Testament. It is impossible to cover in detail every aspect of the New Testament. Hopefully, this course will be one step on a lifetime of learning.
This course also assumes a basic working knowledge of the New Testament (what are the four gospels, what are the epistles, who Jesus is and why he is important, who Paul is and why he is important, etc.). This course will also teach the students to ask the deeper questions not only of their own biblical understanding, but to also to lend a richer and more informed voice to their biblical teaching and preaching.
This course gives participants an overview of the structure and organization of The United Methodist Church. It includes reading assignments, as well as written discussion assignments, for each of the 10 weekdays, allowing weekends for catch-up and Sabbath rest. This course is open to all laity. It is an approved required course for Certified Lay Speakers. It is also approved as an advanced renewal course for Certified Lay Servants and Certified Lay Ministers.
This course helps United Methodist Certified Lay Ministers (CLM) students learn how to research an Old Testament Bible Passage (exegesis) using research tools (hermeneutics) that helps them write a sermon that is grounded in the Bible passage they are using to preach a sermon.
Designed for United Methodist Certified Lay Ministers (CLM). This course is designed to help CLM students learn how to prepare a sermon that delivers the good news. This course also assumes a basic biblical knowledge and ability to exegete the biblical text. It would be helpful to have had at least the Old Testament or the New Testament class. At the culmination of the class the student will deliver a sermon to the class, the instructor, and some well-established preachers. The student will then receive helpful feedback for their preaching. The class is limited to a maximum of 10 students to allow plenty of time for student presentations. The goal of this class is to have preachers who can proclaim the Good News to a congregation.
Resources