Lay Speakers Lead in Worship
The purposes of this course are: (1)To gain an understanding of corporate worship as an encounter of the gathered community with God and with one another. (2) To learn how to plan worship that is both authentically Christian and relevant to Christians and seekers today. (3) To develop the practical skills needed for leading worship.
(DR 250) $5.00, 10 or more $4.25 each
Basic Texts: Worshiping with United Methodists by Hoyt Hickman
(DRA 782) $14.00, 10 or more $11.90 each
Contemporary Worship for the 21st Century by Daniel Benedict & Craig Kennet Miller  (DR 138) $13.00, 10 or more $11.90 each

Lay Speakers Lead in Evangelism
The purposes of this course are: (1) To gain a deeper understanding of biblical hospitality as a foundation for the faithful congregations. (2) To look  more closely at the culture and climate of our congregations and to explore ways in which they may grow in their ministry of welcoming and making disciples. (3) To explore ways in which families can be more intentional in faith formation and to enhance the ways in which the church becomes a model of faith for the family. (4) To identify faith stories and to become more comfortable telling about the faith in our everyday lives. (5) To begin to form teams that include the pastor and lay people that will develop strategies to help congregations proclaim the faith.
(DR 200) $5.00, 10 or more $4.25 each
Basic Text: The Faith-Sharing Congregation by Shirley Clement & Roger Swanson (DR 153) $12.00, 10 or more $10.20 each

Lay Speakers Lead in Stewardship
The purpose of this course is to develop a holistic understanding of stewardship and to understand the role of stewardship in relation to the mission and vision of the church.
(DR 197) $5.00, 10 or more $4.25 each
Basic Text: Don't Shoot the Horse by Herb Mather
(DR 136) $12.00, 10 or more $10.20 each

Lay Speakers Interpret to Others Our United Methodist Heritage
This course will assist the Lay Speaker to gain an understanding of the distinctive traditions and emphases of The United Methodist Church. The lay speaker will become informed about the journey of the people historically known as Methodists and Evangel Brethren, who united in 1968 to form The United Methodist Church. The contributions of the early leaders, Wesley, Otterbein, Boehm, Albright, and others, will be reviewed. The lay speaker will develop skills to interpret this heritage to others.
(DR 380) $5.00, 10 or more $4.25 each
Basic Text: The United Methodist Primer by Chester Custer
(DR 359) $10.00, 10 or more $8.50 each

Lay Speakers Preach
This course provides useful information to the lay speaker about the art of writing sermons. The lay speaker will receive information about resources available to research topics, interpret scripture, and writing interesting and inspiring sermons.
(DR 387) $5.00, 10 or more $4.25 each
Basic Text: Go Preach! by Jack Gilbert
(DR 384) $12.00, 10 or more $10.20 each

Lay Speakers Grow Spiritually Through Daily Discipline
Participants are guided in discerning God's direction for their lives, practicing daily disciplines, and reaching out in love.
(DR 198) $5.00, 10 or more $4.25 each
Basic Text: Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Tradition by Steve Harper
(# 740) $10.00, 10 or more $8.50 each

Lay Speakers Lead Small Groups
This course is designed to help persons prepare for leadership of those interested in study, personal growth, and action. Participants will be guided through resources that will help them continue to grow. Skills in starting and keeping a small group going will be developed.
(DR 315) $5.00, 10 or more $4.24 each
Basic Text: The Christian Small-Group Leader by Thomas Hawkins
(DR 328) $10.00, 10 or more $8.50 each

Lay Speakers: A Ministry of Caring
Persons taking this course can expect to be affirmed in the caring they already do; can develop skills for even more effective caring ministries; will recognize their own need for caring and support; and will explore other ways to encourage others to be care-givers.
(DR 289) Participant's Workbook $10.00, 10 or more $8.50 each
(DR 290) Leader's Guide $8.00, 10 or more $6.80 each

Lay Speakers Are Servant Leaders
This course examines the qualities of leadership and will assist the participant in developing an effective leadership style.
(DR 254) $5.00, 10 or more $4.25 each
Basic Text: Faithful Leadership by Thomas Hawkins
(DR 253) $13.00, 10 or more $11.05 each

Lay Speakers Tell Stories
Lay speakers learn what makes a good story and discover their own style as a storyteller. Learn techniques of effective storytelling and practice creating stories from their own experiences.
(DR 408) $5.00, 10 or more $4.25 each
Basic Text: Dancing With Words by Ray Buckley
(DR 407) $12.00, 10 or more $10.20 each

Lay Speakers Are Accountable Disciples
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 class leader in the development of the Methodist movement. Participants are encouraged to look at their faith community and see how it is (or is not) a reflection of genuine Christian community.
(DR 440) $10.00, 10 or more $8.50 each

Lay Speakers Lead Bible Study
Lay Speakers Lead Bible Study will help the Lay Speaker gain an understanding of the process by which the Old and New Testaments came to be the Bible we read today and to recognize the Bible as the inspired revelation of God through His relationship with people.  The lay speaker will learn to appreciate the value of questioning and positive critical evaluation as ways to grasp the Bible's critical message and to put it into practice.  They will learn how to study the Bible in order to gain the greatest understanding of the written word, to encounter the living God in the words of the Bible, and to discover new insights that will enable them to be more effective leaders of Bible study.
(DR 313) $5.00, 10 or more $4.25 each
Basic Text: Introducing the Bible by William Barclay
(DRA 36590) $11.00, 10 or more $9.35 each

Lay Speakers Lead Prayer
Considering Christian prayer as a response to the living God through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit is the main focus of this course.  Listening, learning, leaning, and loving are important elements of prayer.  This course explores the power of prayer to change us as we consider the question, "Does prayer change things?"  Thinking about the necessity of  action following prayer, the concept of prayer without ceasing, and becoming comfortable in leading prayer in groups are some of the focal points of this new course.
(DR 314) $5.00, 10 or more $4.25 each
Basic Text: Dimensions of Prayer by Douglas Steere
(# 971) $12.00, 10 or more $10.20 each

Lay Speaking Youth Basic
The Basic course designed with middle and high school age young people in mind.

Lay Speakers Communicate Their Faith
To become more effective in communicating their faith through oral presentations, lay speakers will sharpen their skills for preparing and delivering a talk. They will reflect on their own faith journeys, and on the nature of the faith they hope to share.

Lay Speakers' Introduction to The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church
This course examines the Biblical basis of the foundation of the United Methodist Church's book of law. The course provides opportunities to examine our social principles and the practical application of church law which governs our local churches.

Building God's People
A valuable tool for local church leaders - and potential leaders - of laity.  This course focuses on more than just the "how to" nuts and bolts of church leadership.  It also answers the question of "what for" as it explores the spiritual significance of the lay leadership role in the local church.  The course gives vision as to how committees, boards, and councils, within their function of local church management, can also be opportunities for Christian growth and renewal.

Contact your District Director of Lay Speaking Ministries for the next available courses