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: October 11, 2025 11:59 pm (ET)

Cancellation policy: cancellations must be received via email to susan.burris@inumc.org by 11:59 pm on October 11, 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.

Lay Servants as Christian Transformational Leaders (Advanced) - This course will guide lay servants seeking to be more empowered to lead their congregations toward vitality. You will need to order and read this textbook in advance: Participant's Book - Lay Servants as Christian Transformational Leaders by Marc Brown, Kathy Merry, and John Briggs: DR881.978-0-88177-881-6. (ePub and Kindle, $9.99) It is available through Amazon and Cokesbury. Participants are required to read the book prior to the class.

Come to the Waters (Advanced) - Deepen your congregation’s experience of baptism, confirmation and reaffirmation of baptism through this wide-ranging study of By Water and the Spirit, Scripture, Church history and United Methodist theology and practice of the sacrament. This course will reference, but go beyond, the official United Methodist teaching document on baptism. Instructors are Rev. Dr. InSuk Peebles and Pastor Terry Brammers. Learners will need a Bible and a UM Hymnal; other materials will be downloaded. Class members should be prepared for daily reading, reflection and online discussion. This study is guaranteed to deepen your experience of baptism, providing resources and ideas for all, both laypeople and clergy, who plan and lead worship or teach confirmation or new member classes.