Lay Servant Ministries
Lay Servant Ministries (LSM) courses offer a variety of training opportunities and support for laity (the people of Christ) as you minister through caring, preaching, witnessing, leading, serving others and interpreting our United Methodist heritage. Though most of these courses fulfill some aspect of a certification track, they are open to any adult who would like to participate.
Upcoming LSM Classes
Please see the list below of available courses, times, locations and instructors. Course titles in red count toward pulpit supply certification. We also offer online LSM classes in Tongan in partnership with people in other conferences. Contact Pastor Faiana Funaki (faianaf@martinmethodist.org) for more information about the classes in Tongan.
| District | Course | Dates & Times | Location | Instructor | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East | Basic Course |
Five (5) two-hour sessions at the following dates / times: 6/17/23, 9:30 – 11:30 am 6/17/23, 2:00 – 4:00 pm 6/24/23, 9:30 – 11:30 am 6/24/23, 2:00 – 4:00 pm 6/25/23, 2:00 – 4:00 pm |
Zoom (online) | Karen Goodwin | Book |
| East | Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts |
Five (5) two-hour sessions at the following dates / times: 8/19/23, 9:30 – 11:30 am 8/19/23, 2:00 – 4:00 pm 8/26/23, 9:30 – 11:30 am 8/26/23, 2:00 – 4:00 pm 8/27/23, 2:00 – 4:00 pm |
Zoom (online) | Karen Goodwin | Book |
| East | United Methodist Polity |
Five (5) two-hour sessions at the following dates / times: 10/7/23, 9:30 – 11:30 am 10/7/23, 2:00 – 4:00 pm 10/14/23, 9:30 – 11:30 am 10/14/23, 2:00 – 4:00 pm 10/15/23, 2:00 – 4:00 pm |
Zoom (online) | Karen Goodwin | Book |
Requirements: Preregistration is required for all classes. To do so, please email the instructor (click on his or her name) or the district director. Each course includes ten hours of class time as well as outside reading. For credit toward certification, participants must attend the entire course and complete all work. Please bring a Bible, pen and notebook. For your convenience, you may participate in courses outside your home district--just make sure to share the course details with your home district director.
Contact your district director of Lay Servant Ministries for more information about the classes or to preregister.
District Directors of Lay Servant Ministries
Central: TBD
East: Karen Goodwin (kgoodwin1201@gmail.com)
North: Mariney Shackelford (NorthDistLayServantMinistries@gmail.com)
South: Pat Broadstreet (broadstw@gmail.com)
West: TBD
Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministries
Chris Buse (cbbuse@hotmail.com)
Courses Available Online
For ease of access, several courses approved by Discipleship Ministries are available in an online-only format through beadisciple.com, a program of Southwestern College in Kansas. If you are pursuing certification, please remember to send a copy of your completion certificate to your district director of Lay Servant Ministries.