Appalachian District Lay Servant Training
The Appalachian District will be hosting the 2022 District Lay Servant Training in person and offering certain classes via ZOOM. Each class has the date details below. Please note that these are subject to change. You will be notified ASAP of any changes. You must be able to attend both days and attend the entire session each day in order to receive credit. THERE IS NO REGISTRATION FOR THE EVENT AFTER SEPTEMBER 16, 2022.
Note: You must have already taken the Basic Course in order to take any Advanced Course.
If you are not sure which courses you have taken in the past or you are concerned that you may need to take one this year to continue your Lay Servant status, please contact Katie Hutton at the District Office by phone- 336-844-4090 or by e-mail- KHutton@wnccumc.org.
DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS SEPTEMBER 16, 2022, by ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY. Registration is $20.00 for in person classes and $15.00 for online courses. This year you will be responsible for ordering your book directly. Please prepare to order your book so that you can receive it at least 2 weeks in advance. Katie will be in touch with you on recommended places to buy your book.
BASIC COURSE: *ZOOM CLASS Dates subject to change*
In the Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course, you will discuss processes to help individuals discern and respond to God’s particular call on their lives. You will be encouraged to recognize and employ his or her spiritual gifts for the church to become what God intended it to be. This course invites participants 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 discipleship. It offers guidelines for optimal communication in leadership and presents numerous types of ministries in which lay servants may assume roles. Throughout the study, thoughtful questions provide excellent opportunities for individual consideration and group discussion
ADVANCED COURSE- (Spiritual Gifts Category) *IN PERSON CLASS*
For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts
This course offers a scriptural understanding of spiritual gifts as always given “for the common good.” By helping participants identify and link their gifts, abilities, and sense of calling, laity will learn the powerful connection between spiritual gifts and vocational discernment in the context of the mission of their local church. They will also learn how to make spiritual gifts discernment a part of their congregation’s culture and commitment to equip mission-focused leaders who make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
ADVANCED COURSE- (Preaching Category) *IN PERSON CLASS*
Dancing with Words
Participants in the course will learn what constitutes a good story, discover storytelling styles, learn the techniques of effective storytelling, and practice creating stories from their experiences.
ADVANCED COURSE- (Other Category) *IN PERSON CLASS* Subject to Change
Lay Servants Lead in Conflict Resolution
Every church deals with conflict, both healthy and unhealthy, and lay servants can be equipped and empowered to help lead through those times of conflict as a time of transformation.
ADVANCED COURSE- (Other Category) (United Methodist Heritage) *ZOOM Class*
Living Our United Methodist Beliefs
This course will explore the special gifts of theology, witness, and organization that The United Methodist Church brings to the church universal, how we got where we are today, and how our distinctive emphases are still needed in the 21st-century church.
The schedule for in person classes:
Day 1: Saturday, October 15, 2022
Please plan to arrive at 9:00 AM at the Appalachian District Office located at 1710 Parkwood Drive, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 enter through the "NORTH SUITE" We will gather in the large conference room at 9:30AM for greetings, introduction of the process for the day and for persons to be assigned to their breakout rooms. The individual classes will then begin at 10:00 AM and will end at 4:00 PM. You will receive a lunch break between 12:00 PM-1:00 PM
Day 2: Saturday, October 22, 2022
Individual class and roll call will start at 9:00 AM at the Appalachian District Office located at 1710 Parkwood Drive, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 enter through the "NORTH SUITE". Class will end at 2:00 PM with a break between 12:00 PM-1:00 PM. We will have closing Worship from 2:00 PM-3:00 PM which will be hosted online for the ZOOM students as well to attend.
ZOOM Students Schedule: (Subject to change for Basic Course)
Thursday, September 29th - 6:30PM-8:30 PM
Thursday, October 6 - 6:30PM-8:30PM
Thursday, October 13 - 6:30PM-8:30PM
Thursday, October 20 - 6:30PM-8:30PM
Saturday, October 22 - 2:00PM-3:00PM-Plan to attend the closing worship online to complete the 10-hour class time requirement.
