West Central Plains
Lay Servant Academy
November 21, 2026
8:00 am - 5:00 pm (ET)
Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church
307 Simpson Street
Greencastle, Indiana
You are invited to join us for the Lay Servant Ministries Academy to begin or continue training for living out the call to make disciples for the transformation of our churches, communities, and world. This is a one day in person Lay Servant Academy. Registrants can attend only one class and must be present the entire day. Please bring your lunch with you.
Cost: $20.00
Payment Information:
- Visa and MasterCard accepted--Please print a copy of your confirmation 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: Erin Belbutoski
301 Pennsylvania Parkway, #300
Carmel, IN 46280
Registration Deadline: November 19, 2026
Cancellation Policy: cancellations must be received via email to erin.belbutoski@inumc.org by 11:59 pm on
November 19, 2026 to be eligible for a refund less processing fee. No refunds after this date.
Classes:
Introduction to Lay Ministry: 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.
- Required Course Text: Lay Servant Ministries--Basic Course by Sandy Zeigler Jackson and Brian Jackson Available at Amazon or Cokesbury
Preaching-Called to Preach - Called to Preach is designed for those who have not completed formal preaching training, for pastors seeking a basic refresher course, and for others who are called upon to preach in a pastor's absence. Called to Preach is the required preaching course in the lay speaker track of study.
- Required Course Text: From Pew to Pulpit by Clifton F. Guthrie Amazon or Cokesbury
- Supplemental/Optional Text: From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering an Effective Sermon by Tony Franks and David Carroll Available at Amazon or Cokesbury
Advanced Course - Lay Servants in Conflict Resolution - Transforming conflict into a positive rather than a negative force is a spiritual pursuit and needs to be grounded in biblical principles: love of God, neighbor, and self. This book is a resource for leaders, ministers, mediators, facilitators, and conflict transformation consultants who want to approach the work in this way. Part 1 explains how we can prepare ourselves for the work of engaging conflict. Part 2 explores how we engage others in conflict transformation, outlining specific processes. Interwoven with the practical instructions are stories that illustrate the potential for this new "justpeace" approach.
- Required Course Text: The Spirit and Art of Conflict Transformation: Creating a Culture of Justpeace by Thomas Porter. Available at Amazon and Upper Room
Advanced Course - Living Our United Methodist Beliefs (United Methodist Heritage) - This course will explore the special gifts of theology, witness, and organization that The United Methodist Church brings to the church universal, how we got were we are today, and how our distinctive emphases are still needed in the 21st century church.