Leading Caring Communicating
Lay Servant Ministries
Leading, Caring, and Communicating are the fundamental traits that Lay Speaking Ministries (LSM) nurtures throughout its courses. The LSM courses offer an opportunity for you to explore and receive training to nurture your personal calling to ministry. The faith of a Christian calls upon all of us to serve as the body of Christ in the world. LSM is an equipping program that offers Christian training, community, and encouragement.
We are a community of learners among learners. Courses are offered throughout the year in the Dakotas. They are usually announced 6 to 8 weeks in advance and can be found on the Dakotas website calendar.
To become a Lay Speaker serving only in your church, you will need to complete the Basic Lay Speaking course and obtain Charge Conference approval. Continuing growth opportunities are available through a wide variety of advanced courses. Completing one advanced course every three years is the minimum education requirement to become and remain a Certified Lay Speaker serving outside your church and into the local community. All Lay Speakers submit a yearly renewal form through their Charge Conference for approval.
Certified Lay Speaker List for 2010
Jan. 21-22, 2011 –Basic and advanced Lay Speaking courses at Selby UMC, Selby, SD. Elizabeth Jassmann will be leading the Basic Course. Paul Smith will lead the Advanced Course, “Lay Pastoral Care Giving.” Classes will begin at 6:30 PM Central Time on Friday, January 21st. Please eat supper before coming on Friday but lunch and snacks will be provided on Saturday. Approximate ending time on Saturday will be 4:00 PM. Click here for registration information 
Jan. 28-29, 2011-Lay Speaking Training. The DakotasConference will again offer training January 28-29, 2011 at the Miller UMC for persons who wish to take a Basic or an Advanced Lay SpeakingCourse. Mary Ann Sheldon will lead the Basic Course and Paul Smith will lead the Advanced Course, "From Your Heart to Theirs." This Advanced Course qualifies as a preaching class. Also, Janet Madsen will lead the Advanced Course, “Transforming Evangelism – TheWesleyan Way of Sharing Faith.” Click here for a registration form in word or here for a registration form in pdf format.
Building Blocks for Empowering Leaders
Spearfish UMC, January 29,2011, 1-4:30 p.m.---Get the year off to a great start by participating in this training for leaders in our churches. Topics will include how to conduct a meeting, duties of chairpersons, how we fit into the new conference structure plus devotions and team building. Each participant who is pre-registered will receive a notebook and the Guidelines booklet for your team or committee. Contact Janelle Jones for more information at605-722-5911, jljones@rushmore.com . Click here for a registration form.
Feb.13-March 13 -- Pastor Elizabeth Jassmann will be leading the Basic Course on Sunday evenings, Feb.13-March 13 beginning at 5:00 PM. The training will be held at Mobridge United Methodist Church, 320 W 4thAve, Mobridge, SD 57472. Click here for registration information.
Feb. 18, 19, 20, 2011 --The Rushmore Area Lay Ministry Team is offering Lay Ministry Courses and a retreat time with fellowship, rest and fun in the Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. The courses and retreat will be held February18, 19, 20, 2011 at Storm Mountain Center, 23740 Storm Mountain Road,Rapid City SD 57702. Muriel Oates will lead the Basic Class. Richard Fisher will lead the Advanced Course: “Lay Speakers Tell Stories/Dancing with Words” (qualifies as a preaching class). John McKnight will lead the Advanced Course:“Leading in Prayer/Let the Whole Church Say Amen.” Contact: Myrnaloy Smith @ 605-342-0479 E-mail: msmail@rushmore.com or Bonnie Carlson @ 605-996-6552 E-mail: bonnie.carlson@dakotasumc.org Click here for a registration form and the schedule.
Basic and Advanced Lay Speaking Training February 25-26, 2011 (Back Up Storm Date will be March 4-5, 2011) Jamestown St. Paul’s United Methodist Church1000 NW 5thAvenue, Jamestown ND 58401 701-252-3088. Joyce Ballard will lead the Basic Class. Iva Wenzel will lead the Advanced Class “The Christian Small Group Leader” and Anne Osbourne will lead the Advanced Class “Go Preach.” We will begin registration and gathering at 5:45 PM with opening worship at 6:00 PM. Class will begin again on Saturday at 8:00 AM with opening worship and end approximately 4:30 PM. Study books for classes will be mailed to you as soon as your registration is received. Click here for more information
March 15-April 12-- Pastor Kris Larson will lead the Basic Lay SpeakingCourse. Classes will be from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Central time on Tuesday nights for five weeks. Classes will be held at Doland UMC, Corner of 4th and Montana, Doland, SD. Click here for more information and registration.
March 12 – Lay Speaking training Hitchcock, SD. Pastor Mark Britton, Tom Pickles and Gail Brock will lead the Basic Lay Speaking Course. Classes will be from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Central Time. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Click here for a registration form and information. Click here for more information and a registration form.
September 24 -- Basic and Advance Lay Servant Ministry Courses at Brandon The Celebration United Methodist Church, 500 Pasque Flower Trail, Brandon SD 57005. Click here for more information.
Oct. 29 -- The Spirit Lake Ministry Team and Lay Servant Ministry Team are hosting a lay servant ministry training Oct. 29th, Saturday, for persons who wish to take a Basic or an Advanced Lay Ministry Course and persons who want to explore their role in the church or learn more about the Bible. Click here for more information and a registration form.
Nov. 5 – Basic and advanced Lay ServantMinistry courses at Spearfish UMC, 845 N, 5th St., Spearfish, S.D. Saturday, November 5, 2011, registration at8:00 a.m. with classes ending by 4:00 p.m. Click here for more information
What are the available Advanced Courses?
There are currently 18 different courses available (though two are being rewritten). If you desire a specific course, talk to your district LSM director about scheduling it. It will, of course, depend upon the needs of the district and the available instructors. Information on the following courses is available through the Upper Room bookstore.
* From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering an Effective Sermon
* Lay Pastoral Care Giving
* Lay Speakers Are Accountable Disciples
* Lay Speakers Create Disciple-Making Faith Communities
* Lay Speakers Discover Spiritual Gifts
* Lay Speakers Grow Spiritually Through Daily Discipline
* Lay Speakers Interpret to Others Our UM Heritage [course materials out of print]
* Lay Speakers Lead Bible Study
* Lay Speakers Lead in Evangelism
* Lay Speakers Lead in Prayer
* Lay Speakers Lead in Stewardship
* Lay Speakers Lead in Worship [course materials out of print]
* Lay Speakers Lead Small Groups
* Lay Speakers Preach
* Lay Speakers Teach Adults
* Lay Speakers Tell Stories
* Lay Witness Mission
* Understanding Men's Ministry
Have an additional study opportunity? You can submit alternative courses of study to the conference Committee on Lay Speaking Ministries to inquire about pre-approval.
Online courses can also be taken through www.BeADisciple.com. Please note: the classes that qualify for LSM credit are noted in the description (i.e. not all of the classes qualify).
Additional Resources:
* Contacts (answers to your questions)
* Hosting (this is a great way to bring a course near you)
* Online courses through BeADisciple
* Lay Speaker form in .pdf or word format (you can type in word)
* The 2010 Course Catalog
* Class Evaluation form
* Class sign-in sheet
* Class Certificate form
What are the available Advanced Courses?
There are currently 18 different courses available (though two are being rewritten). If you desire a specific course, talk to your district LSM director about scheduling it. It will, of course, depend upon the needs of the district and the available instructors. Information on the following courses is available through the Upper Room bookstore.
* From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering an Effective Sermon
* Lay Pastoral Care Giving
* Lay Speakers Are Accountable Disciples
* Lay Speakers Create Disciple-Making Faith Communities
* Lay Speakers Discover Spiritual Gifts
* Lay Speakers Grow Spiritually Through Daily Discipline
* Lay Speakers Interpret to Others Our UM Heritage [course materials out of print]
* Lay Speakers Lead Bible Study
* Lay Speakers Lead in Evangelism
* Lay Speakers Lead in Prayer
* Lay Speakers Lead in Stewardship
* Lay Speakers Lead in Worship [course materials out of print]
* Lay Speakers Lead Small Groups
* Lay Speakers Preach
* Lay Speakers Teach Adults
* Lay Speakers Tell Stories
* Lay Witness Mission
* Understanding Men's Ministry
Have an additional study opportunity? You can submit alternative courses of study to the conference Committee on Lay Speaking Ministries to inquire about pre-approval.
Online courses can also be taken through www.BeADisciple.com. Please note: the classes that qualify for LSM credit are noted in the description (i.e. not all of the classes qualify).
Additional Resources:
* Contacts (answers to your questions)
* Hosting (this is a great way to bring a course near you)
* Online courses through BeADisciple
* Lay Speaker form in .pdf or word format (you can type in word)
* The 2010 Course Catalog
* Class Evaluation form
* Class sign-in sheet
* Class Certificate form