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 have suspended this policy through the end of 2022. 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.)
Some districts are offering virtual courses. Also on-line classes may be 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.
Lay Servant Ministries courses are open to ALL, whether or not an enrollee applies to serve as a lay servant.
Basic Course
Advanced Course
Basic Course
Advanced Course
Basic Course
Dates: Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022
Times: 8:00 AM-8:00 PM
Location: Morton UMC, 420 N Tennessee Ave., Morton, IL 61550
Cost: $ 20.00 (Bring a sack lunch and your own snacks; coffee and water will be provided)
Contact: Kim Wade, kamwade77@outlook.com or 309-825-7237 (call or text)
Required text: Lay Servant Ministries by Sandy Zeigler Jackson and Brian Jackson (9780881776263) Individuals are expected to purchase the text and read it prior to the first class. Available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Cokesbury.
Advanced Course
Title: Life Together in the United Methodist Connection (UM Polity) (counts toward Certified Lay Speaker track)
Dates: Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022
Times: 8:00 AM-6:00 PM
Location: Morton UMC, 420 N Tennessee Ave., Morton, IL 61550
Cost: $ 20.00 (bring a sack lunch and your own snacks; coffee and water will be provided)
Instructor: Rev. Bradley Watkins III
Contact: Kim Wade, kamwade77@outlook.com or 309-825-7237 (call or text)
Required text: The Method of Our Mission by Laceye C. Warner (978-1-42676-717-3) Individuals are expected to purchase the text and read it prior to the first class. Available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Cokesbury. Available for Kindle.
Basic Course
Advanced Course
Basic Course
Advanced Course
Basic Course
Advanced Course
Basic Course
Advanced Course
Basic CourseDates: Saturdays, July 16 and July 23, 2022 (both dates required)
Time: July 16, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM and July 23, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Location: Lifesize Video Conference Class
Cost: $15
Instructor: Carol Conover and Rev. Mary Kathryn Pearce
Registration deadline: July 9, 2022. Register at 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.
Advanced Course
#1
Title: Public Prayer (counts toward Certified Lay Speaker track)
Dates: Wednesdays, May 4-June 1, 2022 (all dates required)
Time: 6:00-8:00 PM
Location: ZOOM Class
Cost: $15
Instructor: Rev. Andrew Maxwell
Registration deadline: May 2, 2022. Register at igrc-reg.brtapp.com/srdadvancedlayspeaking
Contact: Carol Conover, cconover@igrc.org
Required text: Shaping the Prayers of the People: The Art of Intercession by Samuel Wells and Abigail Kocher (978-0-80287-097-1). Individuals are expected to purchase the text and read it prior to class. Available through Cokesbury, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.
#2
Title: Living Our United Methodist Beliefs (UM heritage) (counts toward Certified Lay Speaker track)
Dates: Saturday, July 9, and Sunday, July 10 (both dates required)
Times: Saturday, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM and Sunday, 2:00-6:00 PM
Location: Zoom Video Class
Cost: $15.
Registration deadline: July 6. Register at igrc-reg.brtapp.com/srdadvancedayspeaking72
Instructors: Rev. Bradley Watkins, II and Rev. Brennan Hurley
Contact: Carol Conover at cconover@igrc.org or 217-529-3820
Required text: Living Our Beliefs: The United Methodist Way by Kenneth L. Carder (ISBN 978-0-88177-571-6). Individuals are expected to purchase the text and read it prior to the first class. Available through Amazon, Upper Room, and Cokesbury. Available for Kindle and EPub.
Basic Course
Advanced Courses
#1
Title: Becoming Accountable Disciples
Date: Saturday, July 30, 2022
Time: 8:00 AM-6:00 PM
Location: This will be a virtual class only. A link to participate will be sent a week prior to the class.
Cost: $25. The first 8 people to register will be sent the textbook at no additional charge.
Registration deadline: July 14, 2022. Register at cemken@mymctc.net
Instructor: Claudia Emken, certified lay speaker; Director of Lay Servant Ministries for Spoon River District.
Contact: Claudia Emken, cemken@mymctc.net.
Required Text: Accountable Discipleship by Steven W. Manskar (ISBN 978-0-88177-339-2). Available through Cokesbury, Upper Room, and Amazon.
#2
Title: Living Our UM Beliefs (counts toward certified lay speaker track)
Date: Saturday, August 6, 2022
Time: 8:00 AM-6:00 OM
Location: Galesburg Faith UMC, 876 East Knox, Galesburg, IL 61401. This is a hybrid class and can be attended virtually or in-person. A link for virtual attendance will be sent a week prior to the class.
Cost: $20. Participants bring their own snacks, drinks, and lunch.
Registration deadline: July 22, 2022. Register at cemken@mymctc.net
Instructor: Pastor Paul Newhall
Contact: Claudia Emken, cemken@mymctc.net
Required text: Living Our Beliefs: The United Methodist Way by Kenneth L. Carder (ISBN 9780881775716). Participant required to purchase own book and read it prior to class. Available at Upper Room Bookstore, Amazon, and Cokesbury.
Basic Course
Advanced Courses
#1
Title: Leading Prayer (counts toward Certified Lay Speaker track)
Date: Saturday, June 25, 2022
Time: 8:30 AM-7:15 PM
Location: Saybrook-Wesbein United Methodist Church, 113 N. Main St, Saybrook IL 61770
Cost: $30. Please bring your own lunch. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
Instructor: Pastor Aletha Weatherall
Registration deadline: June 17, 2022 . Register here
Contact: Dee Wilson, deewilson@mchsi.com
Text: Shaping the Prayers of the People: The Art of Intercession by Samuel Wells and Abigail Kocher (ISBN 978-0-8028-7097-1). Purchase and read book before class. Available through Amazon and Cokesbury.
#2
Title: Life Together In The Methodist Connection (Polity) (counts toward Certified Lay Speaker Track)
Date: Saturday June 25, 2022
Time: 8:30AM-7:15PM
Location: Saybrook-Wesbein United Methodist Church, 113 N Main, St, Saybrook, IL, 61770
Cost: $30. Please bring your own lunch. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
Instructor: Pastor Julie Smith
Registration deadline: June 17, 2022. Register here
Contact: Dee Wilson, deewilson@mchsi.com
Text: The Method of our Mission: United Methodist Polity & Organization by Layece C. Warner (ISBN 978-1-4267-6717-3). Purchase and read the book prior to class. Available through Upper Room, Amazon, and Cokesbury.