Southeast District Lay Servant Academy

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 and classes are open to anyone interested. Registrants can attend only one class and must be present the entire day. Participants are expected to have read the required reading and to have completed any pre-class assignments prior to the event.

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: Susan Burris
301 Pennsylvania Parkway, #300
Carmel, IN 46280

Registration deadline: August 2, 2025 11:59 pm (ET)

Cancellation policy: cancellations must be received via email to susan.burris@inumc.org by 11:59 pm on August 2, 2025 to be eligible for a refund less processing fee. No refunds after this date.

Classes:

An Introduction to Lay Ministry: The BASIC Course - This course is required for those seeking to become a Certified Lay Servant, a Certified Lay Speaker, or a Certified Lay Minister. 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. The required text is: Lay Servant Ministries-Basic Course by Sandy Zeigler Jackson and Brian Jackson. It is available through Amazon and Cokesbury. Participants are required to read the book prior to the class.

Advanced Preaching - From Your Heart to Theirs - This is an advanced Lay Servant course. This course moves beyond the basics of public speaking and lays the foundations necessary for preparing an engaging sermon. This course also includes types of sermons - from exegetical to topical to children’s sermons - as well as how to find a story, how to use the hymnal, and how to move from communication on paper to beyond the paper. The instructor is Pastor Terry Brammer. The required text is: From Your Heart to Theirs by Tony Franks and David Carroll. It is available through Amazon and Cokesbury. Participants are required to read the book prior to the class.

Leading Public Prayer - This course is required for those seeking to become Certified Lay Speakers. 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. The instructor is Pastor Rosa Brehm. The required text is: Shaping the Prayers of the People, The Art of Intercession by Samuel Well and Abigail Kocher. It is available through Amazon and Cokesbury. Kindle version is also available. Participants are required to read the book prior to the class.