Face-to-face courses are currently postponed due to COVID-19. Our standing policy is: “Online Courses may be counted as continuing education on the same basis as Alternative Advanced Courses can be counted (every other time a Certified Lay Servant completes continuing education for credit).” We are suspending this policy through the end of 2020. You may take an on-line class to meet continuing education requirements for Certified Lay Servant and Certified Lay Speaker without prior approval from your District Director. (Please remember that you must submit your certificate of completion of any on-line classes with your next annual report.)
On-line classes are taken through BeADisciple.com. They offer a wide variety of classes, so please make sure you are taking only those courses approved for Lay Servant Ministries. The list of approved classes can be found at https://www.beadisciple.com/lay-servant-ministries/ Please be aware that classes may fill up quickly.
Districts may also offer virtual classes.
Advanced courses are developed by Discipleship Ministries. Advanced courses provide at least 10 hours of instruction. Advanced courses use a required text and will involve pre-course assignments.
Lay Servant Ministries courses are open to ALL, whether or not an enrollee applies to serve as a Lay Servant. Classes that "count toward the Lay Speaker track" may be taken by anyone, not just individuals pursuing Certified Lay Speaker status.
To receive continuing education credit for an Alternative Advanced Course, you must:
Prior permission is NOT required to take a regular Advanced Course outside of your home District.
Opportunity #1
None available at this time.
#1
Title: Leading Worship (counts toward Certified Lay Speaker track)
Dates: Friday, Sept. 18 and Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (both dates required)
Times: Friday, 6:15-9:00 PM and Saturday, 8:30 AM-3:30 PM
Location: Dayspring UMC, 201 N. Norwood Place, East Peoria, IL 61611
Cost: $ 30.00 (includes lunch & snacks)
Instructor: Walter Wilkins
Contact: Kim Wade, kamwade@hotmail.com or 309-825-7237 (call or text)
Required text: Worshiping with United Methodists (Revised) by Hoyt Hickman (978-0-687-33526-8). Individuals are expected to purchase the text and read it prior to the first class. Available through Amazon and Cokesbury. Available for Kindle.
#2
Title: Leading Prayer (counts toward Certified Lay Speaker track)
Dates: Friday, Oct. 16 and Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020 (both dates required)
Times: Friday, 6:15-9:00 PM and Saturday, 8:30 AM-3:30 PM
Location: Dayspring UMC, 201 N. Norwood Place, East Peoria, IL 61611
Cost: $ 30.00 (includes lunch & snacks)
Instructor: Cathy Duffy
Contact: Kim Wade, kamwade@hotmail.com or 309-825-7237 (call or text)
Required text: Shaping the Prayers of the People: The Art of Intercession by Samuel Wells and Abigail Kocher (978-0-8028-7097-1). Individuals are expected to purchase the text and read it prior to the first class. Available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Cokesbury.
#1
Title: Called to Preach (counts toward Certified Lay Speaker track)
Dates: Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020
CANCELLED.
#2
Title: Living Our UM Beliefs (Heritage) (counts toward Certified Lay Speaker track)
Dates: Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020
CANCELLED.
#3
Title: Life Together in the UM Connection (Polity) (counts toward Certified Lay Speaker track)
Dates: Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020
CANCELLED.
#4
Title: God’s Mission…Our Journey
Dates: Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020
CANCELLED.
#1
Title: Discover Your Spiritual Gifts (counts toward Certified Lay Speaker track)--ZOOM CLASS
Dates: Saturdays, Sept. 19 and 26, Oct. 4, 2020; plus 2 additional dates and times to be determined by class. MUST participate in all 5 sessions.
Time: 9:00-11:00 AM
Cost: $12
Instructor: Steve Davis
Contact: Claudia Emken, cemken@mymctc.net
Required text: Each One A Minister by William J. Carter (978-0-8358-0622-6). Individuals are expected to purchase the text and read it prior to the first class. Available through Upper Room, Amazon, and Cokesbury. Available for Kindle.