Lay Servant Ministry Training

Lay servant classes may be taken by anyone: member of a congregation, local church leader, or lay servant. All class offerings except Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course may be used as a re-certification class for lay servants.

You may attend classes in any district, based on your own needs. Full class listing.

Lay Servant Academy courses are now available:

Introduction to Lay Ministry: The BASIC Course (hybrid)

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.

• Meeting: This hybrid class will be held in-person at Arden UMC, 4464 Arden Nollville Road, Martinsburg, WV 25403 and online via Zoom information will be included in your confirmation email.
  Participants must attend all classes either IN Person or via ZOOM. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before class start time.
• Dates and Time: Tuesdays, Nov 10-Dec 8, 7:00 PM-9:00 PM
• Instructor: Rev. Bob Kells
• Required Text: Lay Servant Ministries – Basic Course by Sandy Zeigler Jackson and Brian Jackson, Participant’s Book • DR626 • 978-0-88177-626-3. Text can be purchased from Amazon, Cokesbury, Upper Room, and other vendors.
• Class Assignments: Please read the book before class. To pass the class, participants must attend each session and complete all required assignments in the requested timeframe.
• Online Registration Only: $40
• Registration Deadline: November 6, 2026

Register

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.

• Meeting: This class will be held in-person ONLY at Cresaptown UMC, 4805 McMullen Highway SW, Cumberland, Maryland 21505 Participants must attend all classes. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before class start time.
• Dates and Time: Friday, Nov 13, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM and Saturday, Nov 14, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. (Please bring a lunch and beverage)
• Instructor: Pastor Patrick Buhrman
• Required Text: Lay Servant Ministries – Basic Course by Sandy Zeigler Jackson and Brian Jackson, Participant’s Book • DR626 • 978-0-88177-626-3. Text can be purchased from Amazon, Cokesbury, Upper Room, and other vendors.
• Class Assignments: Please read the book before class. To pass the class, participants must attend each session and complete all required assignments in the requested timeframe.
• Online Registration Only: $40
• Registration Deadline: November 11, 2026

Register

Embracing Personal Prayer - Advanced Course

This course helps participants embrace the spiritual power of prayer. Attendees will examine their own prayer lives and discover tools to help in the process of entering personal prayer. Methods such as fasting, listening, using scripture and hymns, journaling, and intercessory prayer will help you grow in practical ways.

• Zoom Meeting: Class will be held via Zoom. Participants must remain on the screen throughout the class.
  Zoom information will be included in your confirmation email.
• Dates and Time: Mondays, Nov 9 -Nov 30 from 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
• Instructor: Pastor Joan Jones
• Required Text: Lord, Teach Us to Pray by Margie Burger, Participant’s Book • DR570 • 978-0-88177-570-9. Text can be purchased from Amazon, Cokesbury, Upper Room, and other vendors.
• Class Assignments: Please read the book prior to class. To pass the class, participants must attend each session and complete all required assignments in the requested timeframe.
• Online Registration Only: $40
• Registration Deadline: November 6, 2026

Register

Leading Missional Small Groups - Advanced Course

This course teaches the Wesleyan way to form missional communities and congregations. It is based on the conviction that just as holiness of heart leads to holiness of life, it is communities of holy love that participate in God’s mission in the world.

• Meeting: This class will be held in-person ONLY at Cresaptown UMC, 4805 McMullen Highway SW, Cumberland, Maryland 21505 Participants must attend all classes. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before class start time.
• Dates and Time: Friday, Nov 20, 6:00 PM-9:00 PM and Saturday, Nov 21, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM.
• Instructor: Pastor Patrick Buhrman
• Required Text: Transforming Community by Henry H. Knight III and F. Douglas Powe, Jr., Participant’s Book •DR754 • 978-0-088177-754-3 --Text can be purchased from Amazon, Cokesbury, Upper Room, and other vendors.
• Class Assignments: Please read the book before class. To pass the class, participants must attend each session and complete all required assignments in the requested timeframe.
• Online Registration Only: $40
• Registration Deadline: November 18, 2026

Register

Called to Preach-Advanced Course

This is a required preaching course in the lay speaker track of study.

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.

• Meeting: This hybrid class will be held in-person at Mt Carmel UMC, 9411 Baltimore Road, Frederick, Maryland 21704, and online via Zoom. Zoom information will be included in your confirmation email. Participants must attend all classes either IN Person or via ZOOM. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before class start time.
• Dates and Time: Sat, Nov 14, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM and Saturday, Dec 5, 9:00AM- 12:00 PM (Please bring a lunch and a beverage).
• Instructor: Rev. Dionne T. Hall
• Required Text: From Pew to Pulpit by Clifton F. Guthrie, Participant’s Book • AB6660 • 978-0-687-06660-5. Text can be purchased from Amazon, Cokesbury, Upper Room and other vendors. Study Bible (NRSV is preferred but not mandatory); Worship Bulletins (copies of 3-4 weeks of bulletins if your church uses them); Commentaries will be discussed in class – bring a laptop/cell phone to look up some of the online commentaries.
• Class Assignments: Please read the book before class and reflect on the questions after each chapter. Bring your answers to the questions to class with you and be ready to discuss them. To pass the class, participants must attend each session and complete all required assignments in the requested timeframe.
• Online Registration Only: $40
• Registration Deadline: November 11, 2026

Register