Lay Servant classes are offered twice a year through most districts in the Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church. See brochure for details (link below). Classes are offered for FREE to Heritage District congregations!

• Introduction to Lay Ministry: Basic Class*
  Discover and develop gifts of caring, leading, and communicating ministries, putting faith into action to loveGod and all of our neighbors. This is a required class for those seeking to become a Certified Lay Servant.
  Class Sessions: Mondays, October 14, 21, November 4, & 11 from 6:30-9pm
  Registration Deadline: Monday, October 7
  Class Facilitators: Pastor Michelle McCalla & Anne HannaCampus
• Aging and Ministry in the 21st Century
  Explore the aging process, the developmental stages of midlife and older adulthood, and ways to developan intentional and comprehensive ministry by, with, and for older adults.
  Dates: Saturdays, October 12 & 19 from 9am-3pm
  Location: Manchester United Methodist Church, 501 Ann Arbor Street, Manchester, MI 48158
  Registration Deadline: Monday, October 7
  Class Facilitators: Deacon Tina Zimmerman & Sue Reynolds
• Campus Ministry: Empowering Congregations to Support Students at Colleges & Universities (Zoom Option Available)
  Explore the different kinds of higher education, the needs of students, how to create/support a student ministry, and make a plan for their local church to support students in high education.
  Dates: Saturdays, November 2 & 16 from 9:30am-3pm
  Location: Adrian: First United Methodist Church, 1245 West Maple Street, Adrian, MI 49221
  Registration Deadline: Monday, October 28
  Class Facilitators: Pastor Alice Ford & Lora Crombez
• Leading Public Prayer (Zoom Option Available)
  Discover tools to use when speaking to God for the people in public prayer using the basic prayer pattern:expressive words for God and people, strong verbs, incorporating words from scripture or a hymn. This is arequired class for those seeking to become a Certified Lay Speaker.
  Dates: Saturdays, October 19 & November 2 from 9am-3pm
  Location: Howell: First United Methodist Church, 1230 Bower Street, Howell, MI 48843
  Registration Deadline: Monday, October 14
  Class Facilitators: Pastors Doug & Marianne McMunn
• Soul Reset (Zoom Option Available)
  Discover the power of rest through the practices of examen, prayer, fasting, taking care of your body,
  worship, and confession that create spiritual wholeness.
  Find rest in the healing nearness of Jesus.
  Dates: Saturdays, November 2 & 9 from 9am-2:30pm
  Location: Williamston United Methodist Church, 211 South Putnum Street, Williamston, MI 48895
  Registration Deadline: Monday, October 28
  Class Facilitators: Pastor Jennifer Ward & Don Dombush
• Called to Preach (Zoom only)
  Affirm your call to preach, assess and use sermon resources to prepare and present a sermon to the otherclass participants. This is a required class for those seeking to become a Certified Lay Speaker.
  Class Sessions: Wednesdays, October 23, 30, November 6, 13, & 20 from 6:30-8:30pm
  Registration Deadline: Wednesday, October 16
  Class Facilitators: Pastor Ian Boley & Mike Hartke
• Download flyer

*Required class for those seeking to become Certified Lay Speakers.

Lay Servant classes provide laity with the opportunity for personal growth, to learn more about the United Methodist Church, and ways to provide  leadership in the church. Becoming a Certified Lay Servant requires the Basic Class, one additional class, and the recommendation of their pastor and Church Council. Renewal requires a class every three years and the same recommendation.

Certified Lay Minister

Have you thought about your calling as a layperson lately? What is God calling you to do? God calls us all, and sometimes that call is to the ministry of the laity. You can learn more from the Michigan Conference website: Lay Servant Ministries and Certified Lay Ministry