United Methodist History for Certified Lay Ministers will introduce participants to major themes in United Methodist history.
The objectives of this course are to:
- To understand and appreciate United Methodist history and heritage.
- To describe and discuss the ways in which United Methodist history influenced – and continues to influence – the life and work of the denomination.
Required Text
Richey, Russell, Kenneth Rowe, and Jean Miller Schmidt. American Methodism: A Compact History. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2012. ISBN: 978-1-4267-4227-9.
Recommended Text
The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, 2016. Nashville: The United Methodist Publishing House, 2016. ISBN: 978-1-501-83321-2. (See also the online free edition.)
Dates
TBA
- Facilitator: Marian Adell
Designed for United Methodist Certified Lay Ministers, this course serves as an introductory overview of the major themes of evangelism and church growth for small membership congregations.
Required Text
Rusaw, Rick and Eric Swanson. The Externally Focused Church. Group Publishing: Loveland, CO, 2004. ISBN-13: 978-0764427404
Dates
TBA
- Facilitator: Jeff Slater
The Leadership and Administration course is designed to guide students to see themselves as both leaders and managers, as well as administrators in the church.
Dates
TBA
The course will cover roles for laity which can be pioneer, supporter or permission-giver within a team launching a Fresh Expression. A participant will develop and explore gifts and graces that can meet the unchurched in their territory and begin the discipleship journey. Learn how to foster the conference initiative of Fresh Expressions in our communities while also obtaining further coursework.
Objectives
The course will help participants develop a deeper understanding of their Fresh Expression and role within a church movement.
By the end of the course:
Participants will be introduced to the historical movement, role of laity in a Wesleyan way, and examples of Fresh Expressions
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Participants will be able to explain the difference between institutional church and Fresh Expressions. They will develop an understanding of how they are tethered together.
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Participants will be able to share the others the various roles within this movement and how that is practically played out within their Fresh Expression.
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Participants will be relationship with others within and outside the church for making disciples of Jesus Christ.
Required Resources
Collins, Travis. Fresh Expressions of Church. Richmond, Virginia: Fresh Expressions U.S.
Collins, Travis. From the Steeple to the Street. Richmond, Virginia: Fresh Expressions U.S.
Videos: available in course
Recommended Resource
Carter Jr., Kenneth H. and Audrey Warren. Fresh Expressions: A New Kind of Methodist Church For People Not In Church. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2017. ISBN-13: 9781501849206
Dates
TBA
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
TBA
- Facilitator: Paul Saas
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
This pastoral care class focuses on pastoral care as a leadership function utilizing listening skills, pastoral presence during times of crisis, and engagement of a rudimentary approach to family systems.
Required Texts
Lampe, Karen. The Caring Congregation: How to Become One and Why it Matters. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-1-4267-2733-7
Richardson, Ronald W. Creating a Healthier Church: Family Systems Theory, Leadership and Congregational Life. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1996. ISBN: 978-0800629557
Dates
TBA
- Facilitator: Abby Caseman
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
Participants will know and become conversant with the basic principles of United Methodist doctrine and theology.
The objectives of this course are to:
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Help students assess their own faith journey in the context of United Methodist doctrine and theology.
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Provide a basic understanding of the elements of United Methodist doctrine and theology.
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Provide the opportunity for students to be in online conversation with the instructor and other students about their understandings of United Methodist doctrine and theology.
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Assess and evaluate their growth in understanding United Methodist doctrine and theology.
Required Texts
Campbell, Ted A. Methodist Doctrine: The Essentials, REVISED EDITION. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-1-4267-2701-6.
Campbell, Ted A. ed. A Wesley Reader: Writings of John and Charles Wesley. Dallas, Texas: Tuckapaw Media, 2008. ISBN: 978-0982069806. Required excerpts provided in class.
The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2016. Nashville: The United Methodist Publishing House, 2016. ISBN: 978-1-501-83321-2. (See also the online free edition).
The United Methodist Hymnal. Nashville: The United Methodist Publishing House, 1989. ISBN: 978-0687431342.
Dates
TBA
- Facilitator: Marian Adell
The Worship course is intended to help Certified Lay Ministry (CLM) students accomplish the following:
- Understand that designing and leading corporate worship is to be guided by the Holy Spirit.
- Gain knowledge of the elements and order of worship outlined in The United Methodist Book of Worship.
- Understand the importance of spiritual disciplines used in designing Spirit-led worship through Scripture, prayer, contemplation, other texts, singing.
- Develop practical applications for designing and leading thematic worship.
Required Texts
Hickman, Hoyt L. Worshiping With United Methodists: A Guide for Pastors and Church Leaders. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2007. ISBN: 9780687335268
The United Methodist Book of Worship. Nashville: The United Methodist Publishing House, 1992.
Bible, multiple translations suggested.
The United Methodist Hymnal. Nashville: The United Methodist Publishing House, 1989.
The Faith We Sing. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2000.
Worship & Song, Leader's Edition. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-1-426- 70994-4
Dates
TBA
Online meetings: Class meets twice on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. CT. A high-speed internet connection and a webcam are highly recommended.
- Facilitator: Abby Caseman