Lay Servant Training
Basic and Advanced Lay Servant Courses
*If you are currently certified as a “Lay Speaker,” the Advanced Lay Servant Course is the one you will need to take every three years to keep your certification current.
Lay Servant training is designed to educate those persons interested in stretching their faith to participate more fully in the ministries of the church. They have three main areas of focus: Leading, Caring, and Communicating.
- Leading - Lay servant leadership takes many forms. Lay Servants provide leadership for small groups, mission endeavors, community organizations, worship settings, committees and teams, and more.
- Caring - Lay servants provide a caring presence in all they do. They may participate in visitation, welcoming and hosting guests, new member care, establishing local mercy ministries, prison ministry, and care for pastors and staff.
- Communicating - Lay servants, like all believers, are called to share the good news of Christ with others. This can occur through sharing an encouraging word with those who are suffering, speaking out for those who can’t speak for themselves, or presenting the gospel through preaching, teaching, or speaking. Most importantly this happens through leading a life that exhibits Christ in all they do.
There are two levels of certification for Lay Servants:
Basic - The basic class is based on Cokesbury’s book, “Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course,” which teaches a basic understanding of ministry in the United Methodist Tradition. Included in the course is the following:
- Wesleyan Tradition and Foundations
- Spiritual Gifts
- Servant Leadership
- Caring Ministries
- Communicating
- Sharing Your Faith
Advanced - The advanced class, based on Cokesbury’s book, “Each One a Minister,” by William Carter is a study of the book of Ephesians and what it teaches us about how we are called to use our spiritual gifts. Included in the course is the following:
- Ephesians 1- Being a chosen member of God’s family
- Ephesians 2- Living out our spiritual inheritance
- Ephesians 3- Our job and mission as the church
- Ephesians 4- Using our gifts
- Ephesians 5- The posture of leadership
- Ephesians 6- Armed for the Fight
- Exploring how to use your gifts
- Prepare and execute a 5-minute talk
You may register for the class times/locations that are convenient for you. All classes will be the same across districts.
Online Classes using the Zoom Platform
Schedule: 6-8pm each date
Online Basic Lay Servant Ministries
August 8, 10, 15, 17, 2023
Register here
Online Advanced Lay Servant Ministries
Sept 12, 14, 19, 21, 2023
In-Person Training
Advanced Lay Servant Ministries
June 16-17, 2023
St Luke UMC, Savannah
In Person Class Schedule
Friday, 6:30 pm – 9 pm
Saturday, 9 am – 4 pm
In-Person Registration Fee: $40 (includes lunch on Saturday)
(Note: Basic Lay Servant class must be completed before taking Advanced Class)
In-person training can be scheduled upon request. A minimum of 6 participants are required to hold an in-person class.
Questions about Lay Servant Classes? E-mail abosarge@sgaumc.com.