Upcoming and Recent Courses
New classes are added quarterly. Looking for a class that isn’t being offered? Let us know!
- All classes include a book that you must order and read prior to the class. Links to purchase books are available when you register or on our course descriptions page.
- All courses (zoom and in person) are open to anyone across the conference. Classes presented by districts are not limited to participants from that district.
Upcoming Courses
Events
-
-
Justice in Everyday Life
ZoomThe Harbor district LSM team is pleased to present this course, open to all UMC laity. This course takes an in-depth look at the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church — the church’s attempt to speak on contemporary issues with which it is confronted today. The course covers topics such as the following: Natural World, Social Community, Economic Community, and Political Community.
$15 -
Sacred Tension
Bethel UMC 6364 Snow Camp Road, Snow Camp, North CarolinaThe Corridor LSM team is pleased to present this advanced course, open to all UMC laity. This study explores the sacred reality of the Bible in wide-ranging dialogue with itself and with readers of varied perspectives and life-experiences.
$25 -
-
Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries
ZoomThe Corridor District is pleased to offer this course, which is open to all laity. It’s a great opportunity to explore the many ways laypersons can live out their call to ministry in the United Methodist Church. This course is also a required step for anyone pursuing certification as a lay servant, lay speaker, or lay minister.
$15 -
For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts
ZoomThe Harbor district LSM team is pleased to present this spiritual gifts course, open to all UMC laity. This course reminds us that the Holy Spirit gives each Christian one or more spiritual gifts to be used for the common good. It guides readers to discover their own particular gifts and learn to use their gifts to serve others.
$15 -
-
Life Together in the United Methodist Connection (UM Polity)
ZoomThe Heritage district Lay Servant Ministries team presents Life Together in the UM Connection. This advanced course meets the polity requirement for those who wish to become certified lay speakers or certified lay ministers. It also counts as an advanced course for certified lay servants and renewals. All are welcome!
$15 -
Living Our United Methodist Beliefs (UM History)
ZoomThe Beacon district LSM team is pleased to present this course open to all laity. In addition, it meets the UM History requirement for those seeking to become certified lay speakers or certified lay ministers. This course also counts as an “advanced course” for certified lay servants or anyone in need of continuing education to renew their certification.
$15
Anticipated Courses
Want to know what’s coming down the pipeline? The following courses are currently being planned, and are subject to change as new needs are identified. Courses follow a quarterly schedule. Specific dates and registration details will be added as they are available.
- Fall Quarter (September-November)
- Winter Quarter (December-February)
- Spring Quarter (March-May)
- Summer Quarter (June-August)
| Course Title | District | Location | Facilitator | Course Date |
| Teaching Biblical Faith | Capital | Soapstone UMC | TBD | August 22, 2026 |
| Leading Worship* | Harbor | TBD | TBD | Fall 2026 |
| Ministry with the Forgotten | Beacon & Sound | In Person | TBD | Fall 2026 |
Looking for more courses? The Conference Committee on Lay Servant Ministries will plan next year’s courses this June. Each required course for certified lay speakers is typically offered twice a year—once in person and once online—along with 6-8 advanced courses on various topics. Have a course in mind? Let us know by filling out our survey!
Past Courses
To get a sense of the classes we offer, check out these recent classes. The asterisk indicates a course that meets requirements to became a certified lay speaker. You can find a complete list of all Lay Servant Ministry classes available to be taught on our Course Descriptions page.
| Course Title | District | Location | Facilitator | Course Date |
| Called to Preach | Corridor | New Creation UMC | Allen Burden | 5/16/2026 |
| Dancing with Words | Harbor | Wrightsville UMC | Mel Pitts | 4/25/2026 |
| Opening Ourselves to Grace: Basic Christian Practices | Capital | Westwood UMC | Billy Sander | 4/18/2026 |
| For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts* | Harbor | Zoom | Sandy Core and Ernest Leatherman | 3/21/2026 |
| Leading Worship* | Fairway | Genesis UMC | Shawn Blackwelder | 3/7/2026 |
| Public Prayer* | Heritage | Gibson Memorial UMC | Jim Bolyard | 2/21/2026 |
| Living Our United Methodist Beliefs (UM History*) | Beacon | Zoom | Tom Santa and Janet Groberski | 2/7/2026-2/14/2026 |
| Life Together in the United Methodist Connection (Polity)* | Beacon | Hertford UMC | Tom Santa and Tom Hallberg | 1/17/2026 |
| Campus Ministry | Sound | Zoom | Tom Greener and Ann Davis | 1/6/2026-1/27/2026 |
| Public Prayer* | Harbor | Zoom | Earl Hardy | 11/15/2025 |
| From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering an Effective Sermon* | Fairway | Genesis UMC | Shawn Blackwelder | 10/11/2025 |
| Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries* | Capital | Zoom | James Bernstein | 9/22/2025-11/3/2025 |
| Aging and Ministry in the 21st Century | Harbor | Zoom | Sandy Core & Ernest Leatherman | 8/23/2025 |
| Living Our United Methodist Beliefs (UM History)* | Beacon | Zoom | Tom Santa | 8/16/2025 |
| Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries* | Gateway | St. Andrews UMC | Mamie Alley | 8/9/2025 |
| Discover Your Spiritual Gifts* | Beacon | Zoom | Rhonda Morris & Tom Santa | 8/2/2025 |
| Life Together in the United Methodist Connection (Polity)* | Heritage | Zoom | Laura Wittman | 7/19/2025 |
| Soul Reset | Gateway | Galilee UMC | Effie McGill | 7/12/2025 |
| Leading Worship* | Capital | Soapstone UMC | Glen Stallsmith | 6/28/2025 |
| Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries* | Corridor | Zoom | Allen Burden | 6/21/2025 |
| Leading Worship* | Corridor | Zoom | Chuck Frost | 5/3/2025 |
| Life Together in the United Methodist Connection (Polity)* | Fairway | Zoom | Laura Wittman | 4/12/2025 |
| Aging and Ministry in the 21st Century | Capital | Westwood UMC | Ray Broadwell | 3/22/2025 |
| Embracing Personal Prayer | Gateway | Zoom | Effie McGill | 3/22/2025 |
| Called to Preach* | Beacon | Hertford UMC | Tom Hallberg & Tom Santa | 3/15/2025 |
| Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries* | Fairway | Genesis UMC | Shawn Blackwelder | 3/15/2025 |
| Public Prayer* | Harbor | Zoom | Sandy Core and Ernest Leatherman | 3/8/2025 |
| Living Our United Methodist Beliefs (UM History)* | Beacon | Zoom | Tom Santa | 2/22/2025 |
| Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries* | Beacon | Zoom | Tom Santa | 2/15/2025 |
| Living Our United Methodist Beliefs (UM History)* | Capital | Soapstone UMC | Greg Van Buskirk | 2/8/2025 |
| Transforming Evangelism | Heritage | Zoom | Ken Ripley | 1/18/2025 |
| Soul Reset | Corridor | Online Learning | Anggie Thompson | 1/13-24/2025 |
| Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries* | Heritage | Zoom | Ken Ripley | 1/11/2025 |
| For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts* | Harbor | Zoom | Jeanne Gregory | 11/9/2024 |
| Dancing with Words | Fairway | Fuquay Varina | Ray Broadwell | 11/2/2024 |
| Discover Your Spiritual Gifts* | Beacon | Currituck | Rhonda Morris | 10/26/2024 |
| Public Prayer* | Heritage | Spring Hope | Jim Bolyard | 10/19/2024 |
| Ministry with the Forgotten | Corridor | Zoom | Joey Shelton | 10/14/2024 – 11/11/2024 |
| From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering an Effective Sermon* | Harbor | Zoom | Mike MacDonald | 8/24/2024 |
| Living Our United Methodist Beliefs (UM History)* | NC Conference | Zoom | Allen Burden | 8/24/2024 |
| Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries* | NC Conference | Zoom | Tom Santa | 8/17/2024 |
| Lay Servants as Christian Transformational Leaders | Capital | Raleigh | Duke Lackey | 8/3/2024 |
| Loving People and Planet in God’s Name | Corridor | Elon | Jane Almon and Kellie Gallagher | 7/27/2024 |
| Life Together in the United Methodist Connection (Polity)* | Harbor | Zoom | Taylor Mills & Laura Wittman | 7/14/2024 8/18/2024 |
| For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts* | Capital | Goldsboro | Deborah Horton | 5/18/2024 |
| Discipleship Begins with Relationship: Creating a Spiritual Growth Plan to See All the People | Beacon & Sound | Greenville | Jon Strother | 5/11/2024 |
| Leading in Prayer* | Corridor | Durham | Stephan Margeson | 4/27/2024 |
| Sharing Your Faith: Transforming Evangelism | Heritage | Zoom | Ken Ripley | 4/20/2024 |
| Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries* | Heritage | Zoom | Ken Ripley | 4/13/2024 |
| Public Prayer* | Gateway | Zoom | Vermel Taylor | 4/6/2024 |
| Called to Preach* | Fairway | Cary | Carl Fraizer | 3/23/2024 |
| Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries* | Fairway | Cary | Mamie Alley | 3/23/2024 |
| Living Our United Methodist Beliefs (UM History)* | Beacon | Zoom | Tom Santa | 2/17/2024 |
| Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries* | Capital | Raleigh | James Bernstein | 2/10/2024 |
| Leading Worship* | Gateway | Zoom | Anne Sims | 2/3/2024 |
| Life Together in the United Methodist Connection* (Polity) | Harbor | Zoom | Taylor Mills | 1/20/2024 |
| Sacraments: Means of Grace | Gateway | Laurinburg | Vermel Taylor | 10/21/2023 |
| Justice in Everyday Life | Corridor | Chapel Hill | Brenda Brown | 10/21/2023 |
| For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts* | Corridor | Chapel Hill | Rod Mullen | 10/21/2023 |
| Life Together in the United Methodist Connection* (Polity) | NC Conference | Zoom | Laura Wittman | 9/16/2023 |
| Living Our United Methodist Beliefs (UM History)* | NC Conference | Zoom | Allen Burden | 9/9/2023 |
| Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries* | Sound | Hybrid | Kim Smith | 8/26/2023 |
| Living Our United Methodist Beliefs (UM History)* | Harbor | Ocean View | Sandy Core and Ernest Leatherman | 8/12/2023 |
| Leading Worship* | Sound | Hybrid: Oriental and Zoom | Anne Sims | 8/5/2023 |
| For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts* | Sound | Hybrid: New Bern and Zoom | Gail Bailey Lindsay | 7/22/2023 |
| Public Prayer* | Beacon | Elizabeth City | Sylvia Collins | 5/6/2023 |
| Transforming Evangelism | Heritage | Zoom | Ken Ripley | 4/22/2023 |
| Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries* | Heritage | Zoom | Ken Ripley | 4/22/2023 |
| Embracing Personal Prayer | Corridor | Zoom | Monica Beacham | 4/22/2023 |
| From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering an Effective Sermon* | Harbor | Zoom | Shawn Blackwelder | 3/25/2023 |
| Leading Worship* | Corridor | Durham | Donna Banks | 3/18/2023 |
| Leading Missional Small Groups | Center for Leadership Excellence | Zoom | Lisa Bachman | 3/13/2023 – 4/3/2023 |
| Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries* | Sound | Zoom | Roxie Cauley | 2/11/2023 |
| Public Prayer* | Harbor | Wilmington | Sandy Core and Ernest Leatherman | 1/28/2023 |
| Called to Preach* | Beacon | Columbia | Ginny Crocker and David Blackman | 1/14/2023 |
| Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries* | Beacon | Edenton/Zoom | Tom Santa | 12/3/2022 |
| Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts* | Harbor | Wilmington | Sandy Core and Ernest Leatherman | 11/19/2022 |
| Soul Reset | Corridor | Zoom | Anggie Thompson | 11/5/2022 |
| Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries* | Beacon | Hybrid: Zoom and Elizabeth City | Tom Santa | 11/5/2022 |
| Accountable Discipleship | Corridor | Durham | Belton Joyner | 10/22/2022 |
| Leading Bible Study | Center for Leadership Excellence | Zoom | Alan Felton | 9/29/2022-10/20/2022 |
| Life Together in the United Methodist Connection* (Polity) | Gateway | Zoom | Steve Taylor | 8/13/2022 |
| Leading Worship* | Harbor | Wilmington | Sandy Core and Ernest Leatherman | 8/13/2022 |
| Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries* | Gateway | Zoom | Gypsie Murdaugh | 6/11/2022 |
| Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries* | Fairway | Sanford | Mamie Alley | 5/21/2022 |
| Living Our United Methodist Beliefs* (UM History) | Fairway | Sanford | Dena White | 5/21/2022 |
| Called to Preach* | Fairway | Sanford | Eddie Hill | 5/21/2022 |
| Living Our United Methodist Beliefs* (UM History) | Beacon | Zoom | Tom Santa | 5/14/2022 |
| Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries* | Corridor | Zoom | Allen Burden | 5/14/2022 |
| Life Together in the United Methodist Connection* (Polity) | Sound | Zoom | Taylor Mills | 4/30/2022 |
| Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Tradition | Corridor | Zoom | Darcy Knight | 4/9/2022 |
| From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering an Effective Sermon | Harbor | Hybrid: Zoom and Oak Island | Mike Macdonald | 3/19/2022 |
| Life Together in the United Methodist Connection* (Polity) | Corridor | Zoom | Molly Shivers | 3/5/2022 |
| Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries* | Sound | Zoom | Jackie Attaway, Bobby Meadows and Roxie Cauley | 3/5/2022 |
| Lay Servants Lead Conflict Resolution | Heritage | Zoom | Molly Shivers | 2/19/2022 |
| Transforming Evangelism | Heritage | Zoom | Ken Ripley | 2/5/2022 |
| Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries* | Heritage | Zoom | Ken Ripley | 1/22/2022 |