March Lay Speaking Schools Offer Classes for All Church Leaders
WPAUMC News
Send Email
3/2/2011
As Lent begins, District leaders are turning their attention to the annual Lay Ministry schools – and they’re not your father’s lay speaking schools!
Most people view the Lay Ministry Schools as a training ground exclusively for those called by God to fill in for the pastor when he or she is not available to preach a sermon, but the schools offer a variety of courses beyond those for lay speakers.
The schools provide quality training for all people of the church. One of the goals of the Lay Ministry Schools is to train all laity to lead in mission and ministry.
Each District offers different courses that permit Lay Speakers to be recertified, but those courses are open to anyone who would like to learn more about opportunities to serve Christ in their church and community. For example, there are courses like “Developing Spiritual Disciplines” in your life and “Sharing Your Faith” with others.
Courses vary from District to District and participants may attend a school in any district. They aren’t limited to their own District school.
“We really want the laity and clergy of the Conference to see the value the Lay Schools provide. They provide an opportunity for quality training to help lead in our mission and ministry of creating disciples for Christ. All of our schools are open to anyone who is interesting in digging deeper into the call Christ has placed on their lives.
“To help people in the future, the information about the schools will be posted on the Conference website. This way everyone has the information they need to help them find the training that is most beneficial to them”, notes Bob Penrose the Conference Director of Lay Speaking Ministries.
“As a District Director, it is an amazing ministry that the Schools provide to help not just the Laity, but the churches move forward in ministry. Once someone is trained at the school, they bring that expertise back to their churches and provide a vision for a new way to reach the communities in which God has placed them.”
Contact your District Office or talk to the Lay Speakers in your church to find out how the School has impacted their ministry and pray about how God can use you to be trained at any of the District Lay Schools. Then sign up for a class, meet other brothers and sisters who are following God’s call, and experience the joy of learning where God can lead you.
For more information, contact your District Office or contact Bob Penrose at layschool@wpaumc.org.
Comments