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LAITY

Lay Servant Ministry Training

A variety of advanced courses are available online year-round. Classes will be shared here as we receive the information, contact your District Director of LSM if you have any questions. You can take training at any church; it does not have to be in your district.

Basic Lay Servant Trainings

September 30 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
The Epworth Center, Bethesda, OH in Southern Hills District
This is the first half of a hybrid training, other sessions will be online over Zoom. Cost is $25.

October 20 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. and October 21 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Lockwood UMC, Akron in Canal District
Contact Debbie Sloan by e-mail for details and registration.

November 11 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Boardman UMC in Mahoning Valley District
Details and Registration

Advanced Lay Servant Trainings

September 30 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
The Epworth Center, Bethesda, OH in Southern Hills District
Course: Go Preach
This is the first half of a hybrid training, other sessions will be online over Zoom. To complete the course, you must take both in-person and online sessions. Cost is $25.

September 30 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Lockwood UMC, Akron in Canal District
Course: Leading Prayer
Contact Debbie Sloan by e-mail for details and registration.

October 27 from 6:00-9:00 p.m., October 28 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., and November 11 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Lockwood UMC, Akron in Canal District
Course: Leading Worship
Contact Debbie Sloan by e-mail for details and registration.

November 11 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Boardman UMC in Mahoning Valley District
Two courses: Transforming Evangelism and From Your Heart to Theirs
Details and Registration

Anyone may take lay servant training courses for spiritual development, even if you do not intend to serve as a lay servant. Taking a lay servant class does not obligate you to speak publicly. You may enroll in courses offered in any district in the spring and fall or in the online courses. Class participants are not required to take the BASIC course prior to other classes, but persons new to lay servant ministries are strongly encouraged to take the BASIC course first. However, if you do wish to be recognized as a ‘Certified Lay Servant’ by the East Ohio Conference, the BASIC course and one Advanced course is a requirement. The 2016 Book of Discipline no longer uses "Local (Basic) Lay Servant."