Do you ever hear a call to do more than fill a pew? Do you feel at a loss to know what else you can do to contribute to your church life? Ever wonder how the United Methodist Church (UMC) relates to other denominations? What about why the pastor you REALLY liked got transferred to another congregation? How about an organized way to built relationships outside of your own congregation? Where do you go for answers?

Maybe Lay Servant Ministries has at least one answer for you.

“But,” you say, “I don’t think I want to be a Lay Servant.” 

Or maybe you already are! Remember at the end of the "Wizard of Oz" where the scarecrow, tin man and lion were told they already had their desired traits, just no testimonial to that status? Often, we see folks doing all the tasks associated with a Lay Servant, but they have not completed training through a formal process. 

OR maybe you just want to know more about the church. Either way the LSM (Lay Servant Ministries) training courses may have your answer.

Lay Servant Ministries is a program in the UMC that provides training to assist you in fulfilling your call to ministry. Courses start with an introductory basic course and several categories designed to prepare the lay servant.

Categories include:

• Discovering your spiritual gifts
• UMC heritage
• UMC polity (our discipline)
• Leading worship
• Leading prayer
• Preaching

These are designed to prepare our Certified Lay Speakers as a minimum. Other classes exist, as well:

• Leading missional small groups
• Understanding communion
• Understanding baptism
• Social principals of the UMC
• Using multi-media in worship
• Leading Bible study
• Lay pastoral care giving
• Conflict resolution
• Biblical storytelling
• Teaching adults