Lay Speaker Training

2012 Lay Speaker Training

The 2012 Lay Speaker Training program will be conducted at Guilford College United Methodist Church and is scheduled for the weekends of February 25-26 and March 3-4, 2012. Classes are scheduled to run from 9:00am to 12:30pm on Saturdays, 2:00 to 5:00pm on Sunday February 26 and 2:00 to 6:00pm on Sunday March 4.

We highly encourage you to recruit members of your church to participate in this extremely rewarding and satisfying ministry training program. One important change this year, all applications will have to be approved by applicant’s pastor.

Lay Speakers are expected to do much more than fill in for the pastor or speak in public. Lay Speaking Ministries as defined by the United Methodist Book of Discipline offers wonderful possibilities for serving in roles beyond what we have traditionally understood. Now teaching, serving, training, leading, participating, caring, loving, and communicating are lay speaking ministries. How lay speakers can help congregations and communities is limited only by our imagination and willingness to serve as a representative of Jesus Christ.

If you have never participated in the lay speaking training program, as a new student, you would be required to register for the “Basic Lay Speaking Course”. This required orientation focuses on the three primary aspects of lay speaking ministry; leading, caring and communicating. It is designed for lay leaders and those who plan on doing lay speaking ministries. Course led by Patricia Wiseman & Mitchell Matthews. They will be assisted by Kimberly Clarke and Joe Grady

This year we will again present a Basic Course directed at youth. Many think of youth as the church of the future. However, in reality, youth are the church of today. “Lay Speaking Ministries: Youth Basic Course” helps young people recognize their gifts and talents in today’s ministry setting. This basic course encourages and provides training for youth to claim the ministries to which God is calling them. Sandrea Williamson, Jonathan Raper and Mike Symonds will lead this exciting program.

Five advanced courses will also be provided for those persons who have previously completed the Basic Course. Listed below are the advanced courses that will be provided and a brief description of each.

“Lay Speakers Preach” Course is designed for lay leaders, pastors and student pastors who have not completed formal preaching training, pastors seeking a basic refresher course, and others who are called upon to preach. Course led by Nancy Jimerson and David Vanhoy.

“From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering an Effective Sermon” This course is designed for those who have completed the Lay Speaker Preach course and moves beyond the basics of public speaking and addresses the foundations necessary for preparing an engaging sermon. Topics include types of sermons, from exegetical to topical to children’s sermons; finding the story and using the hymnal; reading the Bible aloud; and communication on paper and moving beyond the paper; and presentation and practice. Course led by Kim Keyse, Phyllis Dudley and Parthenia Grady.

“Lay Speakers are Accountable Disciples” This course focuses on the concept of the household of God, the importance of Scripture as divine revelation, Wesleyan understandings of grace and the importance of the office of class leader in the development of the Methodist movement. Students are encouraged to look at their own faith community and see how it is (or is not) a reflection of genuine Christian community. Course led by Donna Flynt, Alex Williamson and Edd Bigham.

“Lay Speakers Lead Bible Study” This advanced course is designed to help lay speakers become versed in how to teach and lead Bible study. Course led by Virginia York Halverson and Rusty Boaeuf assisted by Anna Raleigh.

“Lay Speakers Lead Small Groups” In this course participants will learn what constitutes a good story, discover their storytelling styles, learn the techniques of effective storytelling, and practice creating stories from their own experiences. Course led by Jacqueline Kerr and Bonnie Burkett assisted by Tim Shepard.