facebook script

Can't find something?

We're here to help.

Send us an email at:

[email protected]

and we'll get back with you as soon as possible.

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 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

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
East WindsBASIC Course: Intro to Lay MinistryJanuary 20, 27 and February 3, 10, 17 from 10 AM to Noon.Caro UMC
670 W. Gilford Rd.
Caro, MI
$12, includes bookClick to RegisterKristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063
East WindsDevotional Life in the Wesleyan TraditionJanuary 20, 27 and February 3, 10, 17 from 10 AM to Noon.Caro UMC
670 W. Gilford Rd.
Caro, MI
$14, includes bookClick to RegisterKristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063
East WindsLoving People and Planet in God's Name: Climate JusticeFebruary 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 ResourcesClick to RegisterKristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063
East WindsAdvanced: Living Our Beliefs - The United Methodist WayApril 10, 17, 24 and May 1 from 5:30 to 8:00 PMNorth Branch UMC
4165 Huron St.
North Branch, MI
Need to purchase book.
Order Book Here
Click to RegisterKristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063
East WindsBASIC Course: Intro to Lay MinistryFriday, 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 RegisterKristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063
East WindsConnectional Living and Connectional GivingFriday, 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 RegisterKristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063
East WindsFor the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual GiftsFriday, 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 RegisterKristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063
East WindsMinistry with the Forgotten: Dementia through a Spiritual LensFriday, 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 RegisterKristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063
East WindsTeaching Biblical Faith: Leading Small Group Bible StudiesFriday, 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 RegisterKristen LePalm - 810-429-3269 or Becki Brice - 586-557-4063
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
Central Bay DistrictBasic: Lay Servant MinistriesApril 6 and April 13
(Registration deadline: March 24)
Mt. Pleasant First UMCRegister HereJanice Buckley
Central Bay DistrictMinistry with the Forgotten: Dementia though a Spiritual LensApril 6 and April 13
(Registration deadline: March 24)
Mt. Pleasant First UMC
Register HereJanice Buckley
Central Bay DistrictPew to PulpitApril 6 and April 13
(Registration deadline: March 24)
Mt. Pleasant First UMCRegister HereJanice Buckley
Central Bay DistrictBasic: Lay Servant MinistriesApril 20 and April 27
(Registration deadline: April 13)
Elsie UMCRegister HereJanice Buckley
Central Bay DistrictMission Possible - Small ChurchApril 20 and April 27
(Registration deadline: April 13)
Elsie UMCRegister HereJanice Buckley
Central Bay DistrictLay Pastoral Care GivingApril 20 and April 27
(Registration deadline: April 13)
Elsie UMCRegister HereJanice Buckley
Central Bay DistrictBasic: Lay Servant MinistriesMay 4 and May 11
(Registration deadline: April 27)
Big Rapids First UMCRegister HereJanice Buckley
Central Bay DistrictMission Possible - Large ChurchMay 4 and May 11
(Registration deadline: April 27)
Big Rapids First UMCRegister HereJanice 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

|
The Michigan Conference