
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
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Heritage | BASIC Course: Introduction to Lay Ministry | Saturdays - October 28 and November 11 from 9:30am to 3:30pm | Fowlerville First UMC 201 South Second St. Fowlerville, MI 48836 | Heritage District - Free Other Districts - $25 (Bring your own lunch) | Click to Register | Randy Coller - 517-745-3606 Colleen Croxall -313-520-1264 Anne Marie Hanna - 734-46-9046 |
Heritage | Advanced: Lay Pastoral Care Giving | Saturdays - October 14 and 28 from 9:30am to 3:30pm | Waterloo Village UMC 8110 Washington St. Grass Lake, MI 49240 | Heritage District - Free Other Districts - $25 (Bring your own lunch) | Click to Register | Randy Coller - 517-745-3606 Colleen Croxall -313-520-1264 Anne Marie Hanna - 734-46-9046 |
Heritage | Advanced: Leading Worship | Saturdays - October 7 and 21 from 9:30am to 3:30pm | Manchester UMC 501 Ann Arbor St. Manchester, MI 48158 | Heritage District - Free Other Districts - $25 (Bring your own lunch) | Click to Register | Randy Coller - 517-745-3606 Colleen Croxall -313-520-1264 Anne Marie Hanna - 734-46-9046 |
Heritage | Advanced: Living Our United Methodist Beliefts | Saturdays - November 4 and 11 from 9:30am to 3:30pm | Brighton First UMC 400 East Grand River Brighton, MI 48116 | Heritage District - Free Other Districts - $25 (Bring your own lunch) | Click to Register | Randy Coller - 517-745-3606 Colleen Croxall -313-520-1264 Anne Marie Hanna - 734-46-9046 |
Heritage | Advanced: Teaching Biblical Faith (Leading Small Group Bible Studies) | Saturdays - October 7 and 21 from 9:30am to 3:30pm | Clinton UMC 10990 Tecumseh-Clinton Rd. Clinton, MI 49236 | Heritage District - Free Other Districts - $25 (Bring your own lunch) | Click to Register | Randy Coller - 517-745-3606 Colleen Croxall -313-520-1264 Anne Marie Hanna - 734-46-9046 |
East Winds | BASIC Course: Intro to Lay Ministry | October 6, 4:30pm to October 7, 4:30pm | Flint: Calvary UMC 2111 Flushing Rd. Flint, MI 48504 | $45 Course Book Available Here | Click to Register | Kristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063 |
East Winds | Advanced: Dancing with Words | October 6, 4:30pm to October 7, 4:30pm | Flint: Calvary UMC 2111 Flushing Rd. Flint, MI 48504 | $60 (Book included.) | Click to Register | Kristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063 |
East Winds | Advanced: Opening Ourselves to Grace | October 6, 4:30pm to October 7, 4:30pm | Flint: Calvary UMC 2111 Flushing Rd. Flint, MI 48504 | $45 Download PDF Here | Click to Register | Kristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063 |
East Winds | Advanced: Living Our Beliefs - The United Methodist Way | October 6, 4:30pm to October 7, 4:30pm | Flint: Calvary UMC 2111 Flushing Rd. Flint, MI 48504 | $45 Order Book Here | Click to Register | Kristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063 |
East Winds | Advanced: Ministry with the Forgotten - Dementia through a Spiritual Lens | October 6, 4:30pm to October 7, 4:30pm | Flint: Calvary UMC 2111 Flushing Rd. Flint, MI 48504 | $45 Order Book Here | Click to Register | Kristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063 |
East Winds | Advanced: Leading Public Prayer - Shaping the Prayers of the People: The Art of Intercession | Wednesdays September 13, 20, 27 and October 4 from 11:00am to 1:30pm | Brown City UMC 7043 Lincoln St. Brown City, MI 48416 | $0 Order Book Here | Click to Register | Kristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063 |
East Winds | Advanced: Leading Public Prayer - Shaping the Prayers of the People: The Art of Intercession | Wednesdays September 13, 20, 27 and October 4 from 11:00am to 1:30pm | Zoom link will be provided | $0 Order Book Here | Click to Register | Kristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063 |
East Winds | Advanced: For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts | Tuesdays 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 Register | Kristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063 |
East Winds | Advanced: Called to Preach, From Pew to Pulpit | Sundays 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 Register | Kristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063 |
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 | BASIC Course: Intro to Lay Ministry | Oct. 3, 5, 17, 19 7 PM Oct. 7, 21 10 AM | Zoom link will be provided | $25 | Click to Register | Rickey Gibson |
Greater Detroit | Advanced: Leading Bible Study | Oct. 3, 5, 17, 19 7 PM Oct. 7, 21 10 AM | Zoom link will be provided | $25 | Click to Register | Rickey Gibson |
Greater Detroit | Advanced: UMC History & Tradition | Oct. 3, 5, 17, 19 7 PM Oct. 7, 21 10 AM | Zoom link will be provided | $25 | Click to Register | Rickey Gibson |
Greater Detroit | Advanced: UMC Polity | Oct. 3, 5, 17, 19 7 PM Oct. 7, 21 10 AM | Zoom link will be provided | $25 | Click to Register | Rickey Gibson |
Greater Detroit | Advanced: Spiritual Gifts | Oct. 31, Nov. 2, 14, 16 7 PM Nov. 4, 18 10 AM | Zoom link will be provided | $25 | Click to Register | Rickey Gibson |
Greater Detroit | Advanced: Leading Public Prayer | Oct. 31, Nov. 2, 14, 16 7 PM Nov. 4, 18 10 AM | Zoom link will be provided | $25 | Click to Register | Rickey Gibson |
Greater Detroit | Advanced: Biblical Storytelling - Dancing with Words | Oct. 31, Nov. 2, 14, 16 7 PM Nov. 4, 18 10 AM | Zoom link will be provided | $25 | Click to Register | Rickey Gibson |
Greater Detroit | Advanced: Preaching | Oct. 31, Nov. 2, 14, 16 7 PM Nov. 4, 18 10 AM | Zoom link will be provided | $25 | Click to Register | Rickey Gibson |
Greater Detroit | BASIC Course: Intro to Lay Ministry | Feb. 6, 8, 20, 22 7 PM Feb. 10, 24 10 AM | Zoom link will be provided | $25 | Click to Register | Rickey Gibson |
Greater Detroit | Advanced: Leading Public Worship | Feb. 6, 8, 20, 22 7 PM Feb. 10, 24 10 AM | Zoom link will be provided | $25 | Click to Register | Rickey Gibson |
Greater Detroit | Advanced: Justice in Everyday Life - UMC Social Principles | Feb. 6, 8, 20, 22 7 PM Feb. 10, 24 10 AM | Zoom link will be provided | $25 | Click to Register | Rickey Gibson |
Greater Detroit | Advanced: Spiritual Gifts | Apr. 2, 4, 16, 18 7 PM Apr. 6, 20 10 AM | Zoom link will be provided | $25 | Click to Register | Rickey Gibson |
Greater Detroit | Advanced: Accountable Discipleship | Apr. 2, 4, 16, 18 7 PM Apr. 6, 20 10 AM | Zoom link will be provided | $25 | Click to Register | Rickey Gibson |
Greater Detroit | Advanced: Ministry with Those Impacted by Dementia | May 7, 9, 21, 23 7 PM May 11, 25 10 AM | Zoom link will be provided | $25 | Click to Register | Rickey Gibson |
Western Waters | BASIC Course: Into to Lay Ministry | September 23, 5:00pm to September 23, 5:00pm | Lake Michigan Camp & Retreat Center | $45 | Click to Register | Sara Wolfsen |
Western Waters | Advanced: Dancing with Words (Storytelling I) | September 23, 5:00pm to September 23, 5:00pm | Lake Michigan Camp & Retreat Center | $45 | Click to Register | Sara Wolfsen |
Western Waters | Advanced: Loving People and Planet in God's Name | September 23, 5:00pm to September 23, 5:00pm | Lake Michigan Camp & Retreat Center | $45 | Click to Register | Sara Wolfsen |
Western Waters | BASIC Course: Introduction to Lay Ministry | Thursdays - October 12, 19, 23 and November 2 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm | Zoom | $10 + book purchase | Click to Register | Sara Wolfsen |
Western Waters | Advanced: Planning and Leading Worshiop | Mondays - October 16, 23, 30 and November 6 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm | Zoom | $10 + book purchase | Click to Register | Sara Wolfsen |
Western Waters | Advanced: Leading Public Prayer | Wednesdays - October 11, 18, 25 and November 1 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm | Zoom | $10 + book purchase | Click to Register | Sara Wolfsen |
Greater Southwest | Advanced: Native Americans and United Methodism | Mondays - October 2-30 (2, 9, 16, 23, 30) from 5:00pm to 7:00pm | Milwood UMC 3919 Portage Street Kalamazoo, MI 4900 | $0 Participants responsible for purchasing book. | Click to Register | Mandana 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