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 a course at any church; it does not have to be in your district. You can also take a course in the West Ohio Conference, upcoming courses can be found online here.

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."

If registration is closed, please contact your District LSM Director about possible late registration. If cost is a barrier to taking an LSM class, we encourage you ask your church about sponsorship first. The Conference has limited funds available for scholarships, please apply here.

Certified Lay Ministry Academy | February 28 - July 11, 2026
A Certified Lay Minister (CLM) serves as part of a ministry team with the supervision and support of a clergyperson and:

conducts public worship
cares for the congregation
develops new faith communities
preaches the Word
leads small groups
establishes outreach ministries
serves as a class leader
assists in program leadership
engages in specialized ministries after appropriate training such as in parish nursing, church planting, men’s ministry, children’s faith formation, congregational care, and more!

If you are interested in becoming a CLM, please review the updated Step-By-By Guide for potential CLMs first. If you are ready to commit to the schedule and have fulfilled the prerequisites, we encourage you to apply for the new CLM Academy approved by the Lay Servant Ministries (LSM) Committee. With a mix of in-person and independent study, the academy will guide you through the four required training modules for CLMs. The cost is $150 and you must apply and be accepted to enroll. The deadline to apply is February 15, 2026, and the tentative schedule is below:

February 28 from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the EOC Area Center in North Canton: Orientation. The alternative snow date will be on March 7 at North Industry UMC in Canton.
March 2-15: CLM Module 1 with instructor Pastor John Armstrong
April 11 from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at North Industry UMC in Canton: Introduction to Module 2
April 13-May 3: CLM Module 2 with instructor Pastor James Lance
May 16 from 9:30 a.m - 4:30 p.m. at the EOC Area Center in North Canton: Introduction to Module 3
May 18-31: CLM Module 3 with instructor Rev. Steve Court
June 6 from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the EOC Area Center in North Canton: Introduction to Module 4
June 12-28: CLM Module 4 with instructor Rev. Peggy Welch
July 11: Wrap-up and celebration, location and time TBD

If you have any questions, please contact Deb Gilson, director of Lay Servant Ministries, by e-mail.

Certified Lay Ministry Academy Application

Basic Lay Servant Courses

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.

Trinity UMC in Shelby (West Plains District) | February 21 from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Registration and Details

Advanced Lay Servant Courses

Trinity UMC in Shelby (West Plains District) | February 21 from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Advanced Courses: Leading Public Prayer or Leading Missional Small Groups
Registration and Details