Central District Lay Servant Academy

Cost: $25.00 per person

Payment Information: Visa and Mastercard accepted

Please print a copy of your registration for your receipt.
Check payments must be mailed within 7 days of registration. Please include a copy of your invoice with your check.

Make checks payable to INUMC

Mail to:
INUMC
Attn: Lisa Timmerman
301 Pennsylvania Parkway, #300
Carmel, IN 46280

Registration deadline: March 30, 2025 at 11:59 pm (ET)

Cancellation policy: cancellations must be received via email to lisa.timmerman@inumc.org by 11:59 pm on March 30, 2025 to be eligible for a refund less processing fee. No refunds after this date.

Select one class:

Called to Preach - This course is required for those seeking to become Certified Lay Speakers. It is designed for those who have not completed formal preaching training, for pastors seeking a refresher course, and for others who are called upon to preach in a pastor's absence. Please read as much of the book as possible before the class, and come prepared with a topic on which you would like to prepare a message. Instructor - Rev. Colin Cress; Text: Pew to Pulpit by Clifton Guthrie
The Basic Course - This course is foundational for all courses in Lay Servant Ministries. Participants are encouraged to discover and employ personal spiritual gifts as God intended and to consider the importance of exercising servant leadership, developing future leaders, remaining rooted in consistent spiritual practices, and being part of a group that holds members accountable in their discipleship. Instructor: Brandon Collins, Certified Lay Speaker, Associate Pastor, Southport United Methodist Church; Text: Lay Servant Ministries: Basic Course. Participant Guide. Authors: Sandy Zeigler and Brian Jackson
Leading Public Prayer - Praying in public can be daunting, but prayer is something one learns. This course on praying in public will help the participant grow in confidence and skill in public prayer and enrich their personal prayer life. Instructor: Rev. Chiyona Bourne, Chaplain, IU Health; Text: Shaping the Prayers of the People: The Art of Intercession. Authors: Samuel Wells and Abigail Kocher
Leading Worship - This course is required for those seeking to become Certified Lay Speakers. For United Methodists, worship is formative and can revitalize people’s lives. This course focuses on the ministry of the lay servant who either regularly or occasionally leads a group or congregation in worship. Instructor: Rev. Elizabeth Gilbert, Pastor, Union Chapel United Methodist Church; The required text is: Worshiping with United Methodists by Hoyt l. Hickman, revised edition. It is available through Amazon and Kindle. Participants should read the book prior to the class.