Introduction to Lay Ministry: The BASIC Course is the foundational course for individuals wishing to become Certified Lay Servants. But this course can also be used as part of a discipleship plan for anyone in the church to acquaint them with spiritual gifts, calling and responsibilities as followers of Jesus. Training is offered by district committees of Lay Servant Ministries. It is offered in a variety of formats, times and places. The required text is available through Upper Room, Amazon and Cokesbury.
Lay Servant Ministries courses are open to ALL, whether or not an enrollee applies to serve as a lay servant.
Tri-fold Brochure: The BASIC Course (2018) (pdf)
Basic Lay Servant Class
Title: Introduction to Lay Ministry: The Basic Course
Dates: Friday, March 17, 2023 & Saturday, March 18, 2023
Times: 6:00 PM-9:00 PM on Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM on Saturday.
Attending both days required!
Location: Stewardson UMC, 216 S. Cedar St., Stewardson, IL 62463
Cost: $30.00 (Bring your own lunch), Drinks and snacks will be provided.
Instructor: Rev. David Ducommion
Registration Deadline: March 6, 2023
Contact Lori Sparks, la_sparks2008@yahoo.com
Required text: Lay Servant Ministries by Sandy Zeigler Jackson and Brian Jackson, ISBN: 9780881776263.
Individuals are expected to purchase the text and read it prior to the first class. Available through umcdiscipleship.org, Amazon, Barnes & Noble,
and Cokesbury.
Illinois River District
Dates: Friday, March 31 and Saturday, April 1, 2023
Times: Friday--5:30 p.m. check in to 9 p.m. and Saturday--8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Both Days are required.
Location: Tuscola UMC, 901 N. Prairie St., Tuscola, IL 61953
Cost: $40.00 (includes Saturday lunch, drinks and snacks)
Registration Deadline: Thursday, March 23, 2023
Instructor(s):
Contact: Susan Connor 217-259-1649 (if you have further questions)
Required text: Lay Servant Ministries by Sandy Zeigler Jackson and Brian Jackson, ISBN: 9780881776263.
Individuals are expected to purchase the text and read it prior to the first class. Available through umcdiscipleship.org, Amazon, Barnes & Noble,
and Cokesbury.
Registration available online...
Dates: Saturdays, April 15 & 29, 2023
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (April 15) and 9 a.m. to Noon (April 29)
Location: St. Paul UMC, 10 N Center St, East Alton, IL 62024
Cost: $20
Instructors: Donna Massey and Rebecca Tuchalski
Coffee and bottled water will be provided. Please bring your own lunch and snacks. We may ask you to wear masks.
Registration deadline: Monday, April 3, 2023. Register and pay via credit card or PayPal at: https://igrc-reg.brtapp.com/MRDBasicLaySpeaking
Contact: Rebecca Tuchalski, rtuchalski522@gmail.com
Required Text: Introduction to Lay Ministry: The BASIC Course by Sandy Zeigler Jackson and Brian Jackson (ISBN 978-0-88177-626-3). Individuals are expected to purchase, read, and study this book prior to first class. Copies are available through Upper Room, Amazon and Cokesbury
Title: The Basic Course
Dates: Saturdays, March 11 & March 18 (both dates required)
Time: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM on 3/11 and 9:00 AM-12:00 PM on 3/18
Location: Cotton Hill UMC, 5931 N Cotton Hill Rd, Springfield IL 62703-5693
Cost: $30
Instructor: Revs. Floyd & Bobbi Blackard
Wrapped snacks and bottled water will be provided. Please bring your own lunch.
Registration deadline: March 1, 2023. Register at https://igrc-reg.brtapp.com/srdbasiclayspeaking
Contact: Carol Conover, cconover@igrc.org
Required Text: Introduction to Lay Ministry: The BASIC Course by Sandy Zeigler Jackson and Brian Jackson (ISBN 978-0-88177-626-3). Individuals are expected to purchase, read, and study this book prior to first class. Available through Upper Room, Amazon and Cokesbury
Date: Saturday, Feb. 4 and Feb. 11, 2023; both days are required
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Orion UMC, 407 12th Ave, Orion IL 61273-7737. This will be available as a Zoom class as well as in-person.
Cost $20
Registration deadline: January 21, 2023. Register at cemken@mymctc.net
Instructor: Pastor Ann Champion, Orion UMC
Contact: Claudia Emken, cemken@mymctc.net
In-person participants must bring their own lunch and snacks.
Required Text: Introduction to Lay Ministry: The BASIC Course by Sandy Zeigler Jackson and Brian Jackson (ISBN 978-0-88177-626-3). Individuals are expected to purchase, read, and study this book prior to first class. Copies are available through Upper Room, Amazon and Cokesbury