Carla Whitmire
District Administrative Assistant
Desert Southwest Conference
602-798-8236
cwhitmire@dscumc.org
Have you heard the call from God to develop your teaching and leadership skills in your local church? Lay Servant Ministries courses may be a way for you to prepare yourself for the many missions and ministries that you may be called to, or improve your teaching and leadership skills, address your devotional life, help you discern your own spiritual gifts, or hone your Christian based skills to lead small groups. In addition, certain Lay Servant Ministries courses can be used to provide the necessary requirements to qualify as a Certified Lay Speaker.
Courses Offered (Participants are required to order and read class material prior to class.)
Basic Course - Click Here to Order Class Material
Life Together in the United Methodist Connection - Click Here to Order Class Material
Participants are required to order and read class material prior to class.
Anyone interested in beginning the Lay Servant Ministries program is asked to obtain an endorsement from their Pastor or church’s Administrative Board. The Basic Course is required before taking any advanced courses.
Those who have taken the Basic Course may select from any offered advanced course to meet their church and personal leadership and learning needs. An advanced course must be taken at least once every three years to maintain certification as a local or certified Lay Servant.
Those who are interested in becoming Certified Lay Speakers must take required courses and complete an application. Information on the Certified Lay Speaker program can be found at http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/leadership-resources/ministry-of-the-laity under Ministries of the Laity.
Individual course announcements will be published and will include information on the required text book, specific location, payment, and schedule. These will be published on the Desert Southwest Conference Website www.dscumc.org/lay-servant-ministries.
If you have questions, please direct them to Jeannie Ward, Central West District Director of Lay Servant Ministries at cjward44@q.com or 928-772-6760 (h) or 928-287-1848 (c).
All sessions begin on Saturday at 8:00 AM with a light continental breakfast and lunch included and will adjourn at 5:00 PM. The courses are taught by laity and clergy. Fees for all sessions are $25 and include all two meals.