2016_layServantCatalog_option3.indd 2 12/29/15 3:55 PM What’s Inside? What’s New? This catalog offers our latest resources designed to equip laity for their roles in ministry Lay Servant Ministries is offering a new course in this catalog: God’s Mission…Our as disciples of Jesus Christ. The “Introduction to Lay Ministry: The BASIC Course” is the Journey! In February 2016, Leading Bible Study will be available; and in April 2016, foundational course for Lay Servant Ministries. This course can also be used as part of a Lay Servants Lead in Conflict Resolution will be available! discipleship plan for other laity in the church to acquaint them with their gifts, calling, and responsibilities as followers of Christ. Consider using the BASIC course as part of your The God’s Mission… Our Journey course provides a solid foundation for those serving Christian education program in the local church. It can easily be divided into five 2-hour in mission (both locally and globally) among lay servant ministries and volunteers in or ten 1-hour sessions. Or consider hosting a lay academy in your local church offering mission. For those seeking certification as a UMVIM Team Leader, this course would then both the BASIC and an advanced course. be followed up by UMVIM Team Leader training through the participant’s jurisdiction to provide specific logistical information, policies and practices. With the exception of online courses taken through www.beadisciple.com, Lay Servant Ministries and the Lay Servant Ministries Refresher courses, all courses Leading Bible Study is a well-tested course that equips lay servants on the journey to are designed as 10-hour trainings. Courses include a required text for participants and biblical interpretation as they lead Bible studies in their local churches and beyond. leaders, as well as a leader’s guide for the facilitator of the course. Most texts and/or PDFs are available through Bookstore.UpperRoom.org. Those texts available only through Lay Servants Lead in Conflict Resolution uses practical case studies and a small–group Cokesbury are noted (COKESBURY) and can be purchased at www.cokesbury.com. interactive format. Lay Servants can be equipped and empowered to help lead through those times of conflict as a time of transformation. Questions? Please feel free to contact us at: [email protected] The Accountable Discipleship course is also now available in the Spanish language! Check out Discipulado responsable on page 16. You will now find available the Korean translation of Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Ordering a PDF from Bookstore.UpperRoom.org? Tradition on page 15. Some helpful suggestions: Need more resources for teaching Lay Servant Ministries courses? Check out our website 1. If you don’t already have an account, create one. at: http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/leadershipresources/ministry-of-the-laity. There you 2. Purchase the PDF as you would any online purchase at Bookstore. will find numerous resources including PowerPoint slides and worship formats for UpperRoom.org. courses such as the Introduction to Lay Ministry: The BASIC Course. 3. Once you have completed your purchase, click on “My Account.” 4. Your download history will be listed. New opportunities are also available through the Certified Lay Ministry (CLM) 5. Click on the link to the PDF you would like to download and then choose to program! More and more laypersons are stepping up in ministry, seeking to expand their save it to your computer. Notice where the file is saved. engagement in mission and ministry. The CLM program has responded to this growing 6. Repeat Step 5 as many times as necessary to download each of the PDF files ministry through the addition of “specializations,” a CLM can receive additional training you purchased. and certification as a Lay Missionary/Church Planter, Parish Nurse, and a National Plan 7. Open the PDF file and print as many copies as needed. for Hispanic/Latino Ministries Lay Missioner. Further specializations are being explored in the areas of congregational care ministry, small–group ministry, blessings ministry, and more! To find more details on this exciting development and on the CLM program training modules, see pages 27-29. 2 PDF Only texts are available at Bookstore.UpperRoom.org. No discounts or refunds. To order: 800.972.0433 or Bookstore.UpperRoom.org 3 2016_layServantCatalog_option3.indd 2 12/29/15 3:55 PM 2016_layServantCatalog_option3.indd 3 12/29/15 3:55 PM Lay Servant Ministries Local Church and Certified Lay Servants Lay Servant Ministries is one of the most significant lay leadership development Local Church Lay Servants are to serve the local church or charge in any way that will inspire programs already available within the United Methodist connection. Through this system the laity to deeper commitment to Christ and more effective discipleship, including the of equipping and empowering, lay servants have the opportunity to grow as disciples of interpretation of Scriptures, doctrine, organization, and ministries of the church. Certified Jesus Christ who then go and make other disciples. Lay Servants may serve within and beyond the local church. Lay Servant Ministries can be a significant component of any discipleship system, particularly discipleship systems based on the core process of discipleship as stated in Local Church and Certified Lay Servants: par. 122 of The Book of Discipline. To better remember and understand the core process, Take initiative in giving leadership, assistance, and support to the program think in terms of H.O.P.E.—Hospitality, Offer Christ, Purpose, and Engagement. emphases of the church Through these discipleship paths of H.O.P.E., new disciples are made and sent out Lead meetings for prayer, training, study, and discussion when requested by the to reach even more people. We go into the world in outreach and mission, offering pastor, district superintendent, or committee on Lay Servant Ministries hospitality to those not yet in the body. We offer Christ by providing an opportunity Conduct, or assist in conducting, services of worship, and present sermons and for people to commit their lives to God through baptism by water and the Spirit and addresses when requested by the pastor, district superintendent, or committee profession of faith. We nurture people in Christian living to help them find a true sense on Lay Servant Ministries of purpose in life and what it means to live out their belief through acts of piety, acts of Relate to appropriate committees and ministry areas in providing leadership for mercy, and other means of grace. Through engagement, we send out these grace-filled congregational and community life and fostering caregiving ministries followers of Jesus Christ who are putting their faith into action, helping to transform the Assist in the distribution of the elements of Holy Communion whenever celebrated surrounding community, and offering hospitality in the name of Jesus Christ. As you can upon request by the pastor of the church of which the lay servant is a member see, developing the laity through Lay Servant Ministries is an excellent way to build up H.O.P.E. in any congregation. To become a Local Church Lay Servant, you must: 1. Be a professing and active member of a local church/charge Laity Sunday 2. Apply in writing to appropriate committee and obtain recommendation from Laity Sunday is usually celebrated on the third Sunday in October. This day is set aside to pastor and church council or charge conference recognize and affirm the ministry of the laity. Ministries of the laity include: lay leaders, 3. Complete the BASIC Course for Lay Servant Ministries lay servants, lay speakers, lay ministers, lay missioners, deaconesses, home missioners, United Methodist Women, United Methodist Men, Walks to Emmaus, Chrysalis, To maintain status as a Local Church Lay Servant, you must: missionary service, and so many other significant forms of ministry. 1. Submit an annual report and reapplication with pastor and church council or charge conference recommendations The theme for 2016 is Disciples Called to Action: Living Vital Worship. To 2. Complete an approved refresher course once every three years find resources for Laity Sunday, visit Discipleship Ministries’ website at: www.umcdiscipleship.org/leadership-resources/ministry-of-the-laity To become a Certified Lay Servant, you must: 1. Be a professing and active member of a local church/charge 2. Apply in writing to appropriate committee and obtain recommendation from pastor and church council or charge conference Ordering From Upper Room Bookstore 3. Complete the BASIC Course and one advanced course for Lay Servant Ministries When ordering resources from Bookstore.UpperRoom.org, enter the product 4. Have your qualifications reviewed by the district committee on Lay Servant number from this catalog rather than searching by title. To ensure that you receive Ministries and the annual charge conference materials on time, please order them three weeks before the class. 4 PDF Only texts are available at Bookstore.UpperRoom.org. No discounts or refunds. To order: 800.972.0433 or Bookstore.UpperRoom.org 5 2016_layServantCatalog_option3.indd 4 12/29/15 3:55 PM 2016_layServantCatalog_option3.indd 5 12/29/15 3:55 PM To maintain status as a Certified Lay Servant, you must: The Certified Lay Minister is assigned by the district superintendent to provide lay servant 1. Submit an annual report to the charge conference and the committee on Lay leadership in a ministry or in a church. There are four major components in the formation Servant Ministries of these leaders: training, supervision, support, and accountability. 2. Request in writing the renewal of certification 3. Complete an advanced course for Lay Servant Ministries at least once every three To become a Certified Lay Minister, you need to complete the following requirements: years for recertification 1.