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Lay Servant Ministries

Five ceramic bowls
Laity of Greater Detroit District train online
Lay Servant Training took on new forms when COVID-19 prevented in-person meetings. Instruction and relationship building moved online as these persons seeking certification on the Greater Detroit District illustrate. ~ photo courtesy Sharon Appling

Certified Lay Servant
Annual Reports & Renewal Requests

Certified Lay Servant Report HERE
Certified Lay Speaker Report HERE
Certified Lay Minister Report HERE

Questions?

Please contact Michigan Conference Lay Servant Ministries Co-Directors Jody Pratt and John Hart

District Directors

Central Bay: Ray Francis & Janice Buckley
East Winds: Kristen LePalm & Becki Brice
Greater Detroit: Rickey Gibson & Paul Sadowski
Greater Southwest: TBD
Heritage: Anne Marie Hanna & Colleen Croxall
Northern Skies: Liane Callow
Western Waters: SK Osborn, Colleen Wierman, & Sara Wolfsen

CLM Program Lead

CLM Sharon Appling

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 Servant Process

Certified Lay Speaker Process

Certified Lay Minister Process

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.
DistrictCourseDate & TimeLocationCostRegisterContact Person
HeritageBASIC Course: Introduction to Lay MinistrySaturdays - October 28 and November 11 from 9:30am to 3:30pmFowlerville First UMC
201 South Second St.
Fowlerville, MI 48836
Heritage District - Free
Other Districts - $25
(Bring your own lunch)
Click to RegisterRandy Coller - 517-745-3606
Colleen Croxall -313-520-1264
Anne Marie Hanna - 734-46-9046
HeritageAdvanced: Lay Pastoral Care GivingSaturdays - October 14 and 28 from 9:30am to 3:30pmWaterloo Village UMC
8110 Washington St.
Grass Lake, MI 49240
Heritage District - Free
Other Districts - $25
(Bring your own lunch)
Click to RegisterRandy Coller - 517-745-3606
Colleen Croxall -313-520-1264
Anne Marie Hanna - 734-46-9046
HeritageAdvanced: Leading WorshipSaturdays - October 7 and 21 from 9:30am to 3:30pmManchester UMC
501 Ann Arbor St.
Manchester, MI 48158
Heritage District - Free
Other Districts - $25
(Bring your own lunch)
Click to RegisterRandy Coller - 517-745-3606
Colleen Croxall -313-520-1264
Anne Marie Hanna - 734-46-9046
HeritageAdvanced: Living Our United Methodist BelieftsSaturdays - November 4 and 11 from 9:30am to 3:30pmBrighton First UMC
400 East Grand River
Brighton, MI 48116
Heritage District - Free
Other Districts - $25
(Bring your own lunch)
Click to RegisterRandy Coller - 517-745-3606
Colleen Croxall -313-520-1264
Anne Marie Hanna - 734-46-9046
HeritageAdvanced: Teaching Biblical Faith (Leading Small Group Bible Studies)Saturdays - October 7 and 21 from 9:30am to 3:30pmClinton UMC
10990 Tecumseh-Clinton Rd.
Clinton, MI 49236
Heritage District - Free
Other Districts - $25
(Bring your own lunch)
Click to RegisterRandy Coller - 517-745-3606
Colleen Croxall -313-520-1264
Anne Marie Hanna - 734-46-9046
East WindsBASIC Course: Intro to Lay MinistryOctober 6, 4:30pm to October 7, 4:30pmFlint: Calvary UMC
2111 Flushing Rd.
Flint, MI 48504
$45
Course Book Available Here
Click to RegisterKristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063
East WindsAdvanced: Dancing with WordsOctober 6, 4:30pm to October 7, 4:30pmFlint: Calvary UMC
2111 Flushing Rd.
Flint, MI 48504
$60
(Book included.)
Click to RegisterKristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063
East WindsAdvanced: Opening Ourselves to GraceOctober 6, 4:30pm to October 7, 4:30pmFlint: Calvary UMC
2111 Flushing Rd.
Flint, MI 48504
$45
Download PDF Here
Click to RegisterKristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063
East WindsAdvanced: Living Our Beliefs - The United Methodist WayOctober 6, 4:30pm to October 7, 4:30pmFlint: Calvary UMC
2111 Flushing Rd.
Flint, MI 48504
$45
Order Book Here
Click to RegisterKristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063
East WindsAdvanced: Ministry with the Forgotten - Dementia through a Spiritual LensOctober 6, 4:30pm to October 7, 4:30pmFlint: Calvary UMC
2111 Flushing Rd.
Flint, MI 48504
$45
Order Book Here
Click to RegisterKristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063
East WindsAdvanced: Leading Public Prayer - Shaping the Prayers of the People: The Art of IntercessionWednesdays September 13, 20, 27 and October 4 from 11:00am to 1:30pmBrown City UMC
7043 Lincoln St.
Brown City, MI 48416
$0
Order Book Here
Click to RegisterKristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063
East WindsAdvanced: Leading Public Prayer - Shaping the Prayers of the People: The Art of IntercessionWednesdays
September 13, 20, 27 and October 4 from 11:00am to 1:30pm
Zoom link will be provided$0
Order Book Here
Click to RegisterKristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063
East WindsAdvanced: For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual GiftsTuesdays
September 19, 26, October 3 and 10 from 11:00am to 1:30pm
North Branch UMC
4165 Huron St.
North Branch, MI 48461
$0
Order Book Here
Click to RegisterKristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063
East WindsAdvanced: Called to Preach, From Pew to PulpitSundays
October 1, 8, 15, 22 from 1:30pm to 4:40pm
Port Huron First UMC
828 Lapeer Ave.
Port Huron, MI 48060
$0
Order Book Here
Click to RegisterKristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063
Central BayAdvanced: Dancing with WordsJune 27, July 11, 18
1 to 4:30 PM
Mayville UMC
601 Ohmer
Mayville, 48744
$0
Participants responsible for purchasing book
Click to RegisterDeb Sturm
Greater DetroitBASIC Course: Intro to Lay MinistryOct. 3, 5, 17, 19
7 PM
Oct. 7, 21
10 AM
Zoom link will be provided$25Click to RegisterRickey Gibson
Greater DetroitAdvanced: Leading Bible StudyOct. 3, 5, 17, 19
7 PM
Oct. 7, 21
10 AM
Zoom link will be provided$25Click to RegisterRickey Gibson
Greater DetroitAdvanced: UMC History & TraditionOct. 3, 5, 17, 19
7 PM
Oct. 7, 21
10 AM
Zoom link will be provided$25Click to RegisterRickey Gibson
Greater DetroitAdvanced: UMC PolityOct. 3, 5, 17, 19
7 PM
Oct. 7, 21
10 AM
Zoom link will be provided$25Click to RegisterRickey Gibson
Greater DetroitAdvanced: Spiritual GiftsOct. 31, Nov. 2, 14, 16
7 PM
Nov. 4, 18
10 AM
Zoom link will be provided$25Click to RegisterRickey Gibson
Greater DetroitAdvanced: Leading Public PrayerOct. 31, Nov. 2, 14, 16
7 PM
Nov. 4, 18
10 AM
Zoom link will be provided$25Click to RegisterRickey Gibson
Greater DetroitAdvanced: Biblical Storytelling - Dancing with WordsOct. 31, Nov. 2, 14, 16
7 PM
Nov. 4, 18
10 AM
Zoom link will be provided$25Click to RegisterRickey Gibson
Greater DetroitAdvanced: PreachingOct. 31, Nov. 2, 14, 16
7 PM
Nov. 4, 18
10 AM
Zoom link will be provided$25Click to RegisterRickey Gibson
Greater DetroitBASIC Course: Intro to Lay MinistryFeb. 6, 8, 20, 22
7 PM
Feb. 10, 24
10 AM
Zoom link will be provided$25Click to RegisterRickey Gibson
Greater DetroitAdvanced: Leading Public WorshipFeb. 6, 8, 20, 22
7 PM
Feb. 10, 24
10 AM
Zoom link will be provided$25Click to RegisterRickey Gibson
Greater DetroitAdvanced: Justice in Everyday Life - UMC Social PrinciplesFeb. 6, 8, 20, 22
7 PM
Feb. 10, 24
10 AM
Zoom link will be provided$25Click to RegisterRickey Gibson
Greater DetroitAdvanced: Spiritual GiftsApr. 2, 4, 16, 18
7 PM
Apr. 6, 20
10 AM
Zoom link will be provided$25Click to RegisterRickey Gibson
Greater DetroitAdvanced: Accountable DiscipleshipApr. 2, 4, 16, 18
7 PM
Apr. 6, 20
10 AM
Zoom link will be provided$25Click to RegisterRickey Gibson
Greater DetroitAdvanced: Ministry with Those Impacted by DementiaMay 7, 9, 21, 23
7 PM
May 11, 25
10 AM
Zoom link will be provided$25Click to RegisterRickey Gibson
Western WatersBASIC Course: Into to Lay MinistrySeptember 23, 5:00pm to September 23, 5:00pmLake Michigan Camp & Retreat Center$45Click to RegisterSara Wolfsen
Western WatersAdvanced: Dancing with Words (Storytelling I)September 23, 5:00pm to September 23, 5:00pmLake Michigan Camp & Retreat Center$45Click to RegisterSara Wolfsen
Western WatersAdvanced: Loving People and Planet in God's NameSeptember 23, 5:00pm to September 23, 5:00pmLake Michigan Camp & Retreat Center$45Click to RegisterSara Wolfsen
Western WatersBASIC Course: Introduction to Lay MinistryThursdays - October 12, 19, 23 and November 2 from 6:00pm to 8:00pmZoom$10 + book purchaseClick to RegisterSara Wolfsen
Western WatersAdvanced: Planning and Leading WorshiopMondays - October 16, 23, 30 and November 6 from 6:30pm to 8:30pmZoom$10 + book purchaseClick to RegisterSara Wolfsen
Western WatersAdvanced: Leading Public PrayerWednesdays - October 11, 18, 25 and November 1 from 7:00pm to 9:00pmZoom$10 + book purchaseClick to RegisterSara Wolfsen
Greater SouthwestAdvanced: Native Americans and United MethodismMondays - October 2-30 (2, 9, 16, 23, 30) from 5:00pm to 7:00pmMilwood UMC
3919 Portage Street
Kalamazoo, MI 4900
$0
Participants responsible for purchasing book.
Click to RegisterMandana Nordbrock

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.

Lay Servant Ministries Applications,
Renewal Forms & Reports

Form 1: Certified Lay Servant Application

Form 2: Certified Lay Speaker Application

Form 3: Certified Lay Minister Application

Form 4: Certified Lay Servant Annual Report & Renewal Form

Form 5: Certified Lay Speaker Annual Report & Renewal Form

Form 6: Certified Lay Minister Annual Report & Renewal Form

Last Updated on October 31, 2023

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The Michigan Conference