This course gives participants an overview of the structure and organization of The United Methodist Church. It includes reading assignments, as well as written discussion assignments, for each of the 10 weekdays, allowing weekends for catch-up and Sabbath rest. This course is open to all laity. It is an approved required course for Certified Lay Speakers. It is also approved as an advanced renewal course for Certified Lay Servants and Certified Lay Ministers.
Required Texts
Warner, Laceye. The Method of Our Mission. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2014. ISBN: 978-1-4267-6717-3.
The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, 2016. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2016. ISBN: 9781501833212. See also free online edition.
Participants will also receive other suggested supporting texts and documents from the instructor.
Dates
August 7-27, 2023
- Facilitator: Paul Saas
Designed for United Methodist Certified Lay Ministers (CLM). This course is designed to help CLM students learn how to engage in a critical reading of the biblical text. The course by its nature will focus on readings from the New Testament. It is impossible to cover in detail every aspect of the New Testament. Hopefully, this course will be one step on a lifetime of learning.
This course also assumes a basic working knowledge of the New Testament (what are the four gospels, what are the epistles, who Jesus is and why he is important, who Paul is and why he is important, etc.). This course will also teach the students to ask the deeper questions not only of their own biblical understanding, but to also to lend a richer and more informed voice to their biblical teaching and preaching.
Required Texts
Wright, N.T. and Michael F. Bird. The New Testament in Its World: An Introduction to the History, Literature, and Theology of the First Christians. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Academic, 2019
A New Revised Standard Version Study Bible (i.e. The Disciple Study Bible, HarperCollins Study Bible, New Oxford Annotated Bible, or The Wesley Study Bible)
You will need access to:
Mays, James L., General Editor. Harper's Bible Commentary. San Francisco: Harper, 1988. (or newer edition).
Achtemeier, Paul, General Editor. Harper's Bible Dictionary. San Francisco: Harper, 1985. (or newer edition)
Dates
July 3-30, 2023
- Teacher: Richard Fitzgerald
This course helps United Methodist Certified Lay Ministers (CLM) students learn how to research an Old Testament Bible passage (exegesis) using research tools (hermeneutics) that helps them write a sermon that is grounded in the Bible passage they are using to preach a sermon.
Required Texts
Gaventa, Beverly and David Peterson, eds. New Interpreter's Bible: One Volume Commentary. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-0687334117
New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (NRSV is by far the most scholarly modern translation and is closest to the original Hebrew, and therefore essential to use during study. Other translations may be well-suited for worship and personal meditation).
Dates
September 4 - October 1, 2023
- Facilitator: Jeff Slater
Designed for United Methodist Certified Lay Ministers (CLM). This course is designed to help CLM students learn how to prepare a sermon that delivers the good news. This course also assumes a basic biblical knowledge and ability to exegete the biblical text. It would be helpful to have had at least the Old Testament or the New Testament class.
At the culmination of the class the student will deliver a sermon to the class, the instructor, and some well-established preachers. The student will then receive helpful feedback for their preaching.
The class is limited to a maximum of 10 students to allow plenty of time for student presentations. The goal of this class is to have preachers who can proclaim the Good News to a congregation.
Required Texts
Stanley, Andy and Lane Jones. Communicating for a Change: Seven Keys to Irresistible Communication. Colorado Springs, CO: Multnomah Books, 2006. ISBN 978-1590525142, 1590525140.
A New Revised Standard Version Study Bible (i.e. The Disciple Study Bible, HarperCollins Study Bible, New Oxford Annotated Bible, The Wesley Study Bible, or online at Oremus Bible Browser.
Access to good commentaries (your church library may help with this, or your congregation's pastor): Harper's One Volume, Interpretation, Interpreter's, or online "Working Preacher" and Bible Hub have excellent commentaries.
Dates
October 2 - November 5, 2023
5 weeks with daily discussion forums and a one-day face-to-face or online meeting for preaching final course sermons.
Date of meeting: TBA. This meeting will need to be a priority on your calendar and will be half of your grade.
Location of meeting: Salina First UMC (or via Zoom if needed due to COVID restrictions).
- Teacher: Richard Fitzgerald