Questions?
Please contact Michigan Conference Lay Servant Ministries Co-Directors Jody Pratt and John Hart
District Directors
Central Bay: Merry Henderson
East Winds: Kristen LePalm & Becki Brice
Greater Detroit: Rickey Gibson & Paul Sadowski
Greater Southwest: Carla Gillespie
Heritage: Anne Marie Hanna & Colleen Croxall
Mid-Michigan: Randy Coller
Midwest: Sara Wolfsen
Northern Skies: Liane Callow
Northern Waters: Colleen Wierman
Growing in your faith
Lay Servant Ministries is one of the significant lay leadership development programs available within the United Methodist connection. Through this system of equipping and empowering, lay servants have the opportunity to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ who then go and make other disciples. Lay Servant ministries can be a significant component of any discipleship system providing training in Hospitality, Offer Christ, Purpose and Engagement.
Becoming a Lay Servant
Classes can be taken in a variety of locations and dates including online. The Michigan Conference Committee on Lay Servant Ministry organizes classes to fit the needs of participants, specific requests for a topic, and to meet certification requirements. Whenever possible, the conference committee encourages the BASIC course and preaching course to be taken in person (within district) to create community connection. BASIC and Preaching can be offered and taken via video conferencing. Some classes (no more than 50%) can be taken through BeADisciple.com (beadisciple.com/lay-servant-ministries). When an individual takes an online class it is the responsibility of the individual to provide completion/certification information to the district committee.
Lay servant classes generally fall into the following categories: Introduction to Lay Ministry, Spiritual Gifts, United Methodist Heritage, United Methodist Polity, Leading Worship, Leading Prayer, Preaching.
Everyone must take a BASIC course before becoming a Certified Lay Servant. Districts post class offerings online with registration information. Participants may take classes in any location but are responsible to provide their local district with proof of completion.
Levels of Certification in
Lay Servant Ministries and Process Details
Certified Lay Minister Process
If you are interested in becoming a Certified Lay Minister, be sure to contact your district Lay Servant Director. Click here for more information and current classes.
Upcoming LSM Classes
Please see the list below for available courses, times and locations. Click the links within the table for registration. Please note the requirements below.
The detailed process of becoming a Lay Servant and certification levels can be found on the left, and general information in the Lay Servant Ministries Equipping Resources booklet.
Schedule of Lay Servant Ministry Classes
A list of all Lay Servant Ministry Classes available in Michigan. Find one that fits your schedule and location.| District | Course | Date & Time | Location | Cost | Register | Contact Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Bay | Advanced: Rediscovering Spiritual Gifts | May 6, 13 9 AM to 3 PM | Midland First UMC 315 W Larkin St Midland, 48640 | $0 | Click to Register | Merry Henderson |
| Central Bay | Advanced: Aging and Ministry | May 6, 20 9 AM to 3 PM | Clare UMC 105 E 7th St Clare, 48617 | $0 | Click to Register | Janice Buckley |
| Central Bay | Advanced: Dancing with Words | June 27, July 11, 18 1 to 4:30 PM | Mayville UMC 601 Ohmer Mayville, 48744 | $0 Participants responsible for purchasing book | Click to Register | Deb Sturm |
| Greater Detroit | Advanced: Ministry, Theology & Dementia | May 2, 4, 16, 18 7 PM May 6, 20 10 AM | Zoom link will be provided | $25 | Click to Register | Rickey Gibson |
Some Advanced Courses, approved by Discipleship Ministries are available online through beadisciple.com. Look for Affiliation of Certified Lay Ministry and Lay Servant Ministries.
Requirements:
- Pre-registration is required for all classes.
- Each course includes 10 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 of your home district – just make sure to share the course details and a copy of the certificate with your home district director.