Questions?
Please contact Michigan Conference Lay Servant Ministries Director Colleen Croxall
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
Northern Skies: Liane Callow
Western Waters: SK Osborn & 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
East Winds | BASIC Course: Intro to Lay Ministry | January 20, 27 and February 3, 10, 17 from 10 AM to Noon. | Caro UMC 670 W. Gilford Rd. Caro, MI | $12, includes book | Click to Register | Kristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063 |
East Winds | Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Tradition | January 20, 27 and February 3, 10, 17 from 10 AM to Noon. | Caro UMC 670 W. Gilford Rd. Caro, MI | $14, includes book | Click to Register | Kristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063 |
East Winds | Loving People and Planet in God's Name: Climate Justice | February 10, 17, 24 and March 2, 9 from 10 AM to Noon. | Bad Axe: First UMC 216 E. Woodworth Bad Axe, MI | Need to purchase book. UW Faith Resources | Click to Register | Kristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063 |
East Winds | Advanced: Living Our Beliefs - The United Methodist Way | April 10, 17, 24 and May 1 from 5:30 to 8:00 PM | North Branch UMC 4165 Huron St. North Branch, MI | Need to purchase book. Order Book Here | Click to Register | Kristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063 |
East Winds | BASIC Course: Intro to Lay Ministry | Friday, April 19 (4:30pm Registration) 5:00pm-8:30pm (1/2 hour dinner break) AND Saturday, April 20, 9:00am to 4:30pm (1/2 hour lunch break) | Grand Blanc UMC 515 Bush Ave. Grand Blanc, MI 48439 | $45 Participants responsible for purchasing book (see Registration Form) | Click to Register | Kristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063 |
East Winds | Connectional Living and Connectional Giving | Friday, April 19 (4:30pm Registration) 5:00pm-8:30pm (1/2 hour dinner break) AND Saturday, April 20, 9:00am to 4:30pm (1/2 hour lunch break) | Grand Blanc UMC 515 Bush Ave. Grand Blanc, MI 48439 | $45 Participants responsible for purchasing book (see Registration Form) | Click to Register | Kristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063 |
East Winds | For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts | Friday, April 19 (4:30pm Registration) 5:00pm-8:30pm (1/2 hour dinner break) AND Saturday, April 20, 9:00am to 4:30pm (1/2 hour lunch break) | Grand Blanc UMC 515 Bush Ave. Grand Blanc, MI 48439 | $45 Participants responsible for purchasing book (see Registration Form) | Click to Register | Kristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063 |
East Winds | Ministry with the Forgotten: Dementia through a Spiritual Lens | Friday, April 19 (4:30pm Registration) 5:00pm-8:30pm (1/2 hour dinner break) AND Saturday, April 20, 9:00am to 4:30pm (1/2 hour lunch break) | Grand Blanc UMC 515 Bush Ave. Grand Blanc, MI 48439 | $45 Participants responsible for purchasing book (see Registration Form) | Click to Register | Kristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063 |
East Winds | Teaching Biblical Faith: Leading Small Group Bible Studies | Friday, April 19 (4:30pm Registration) 5:00pm-8:30pm (1/2 hour dinner break) AND Saturday, April 20, 9:00am to 4:30pm (1/2 hour lunch break) | Grand Blanc UMC 515 Bush Ave. Grand Blanc, MI 48439 | $45 Participants responsible for purchasing book (see Registration Form) | Click to Register | Kristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063 |
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 |
Central Bay District | Basic: Lay Servant Ministries | April 6 and April 13 (Registration deadline: March 24) | Mt. Pleasant First UMC | Register Here | Janice Buckley | |
Central Bay District | Ministry with the Forgotten: Dementia though a Spiritual Lens | April 6 and April 13 (Registration deadline: March 24) | Mt. Pleasant First UMC | Register Here | Janice Buckley | |
Central Bay District | Pew to Pulpit | April 6 and April 13 (Registration deadline: March 24) | Mt. Pleasant First UMC | Register Here | Janice Buckley | |
Central Bay District | Basic: Lay Servant Ministries | April 20 and April 27 (Registration deadline: April 13) | Elsie UMC | Register Here | Janice Buckley | |
Central Bay District | Mission Possible - Small Church | April 20 and April 27 (Registration deadline: April 13) | Elsie UMC | Register Here | Janice Buckley | |
Central Bay District | Lay Pastoral Care Giving | April 20 and April 27 (Registration deadline: April 13) | Elsie UMC | Register Here | Janice Buckley | |
Central Bay District | Basic: Lay Servant Ministries | May 4 and May 11 (Registration deadline: April 27) | Big Rapids First UMC | Register Here | Janice Buckley | |
Central Bay District | Mission Possible - Large Church | May 4 and May 11 (Registration deadline: April 27) | Big Rapids First UMC | Register Here | Janice Buckley |
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 January 26, 2024