Your NC Conference Lay Servant Ministries Team invites and challenges churches to offer the Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries – newly branded UM101! – for your congregation.
All laity who complete the course can receive official Lay Servant Ministries credit, and will be halfway toward certification as a certified lay servant.
What is UM101?
This is the Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries, a perfect introduction to anyone who wants to learn more about the United Methodist Church and what it means to be a layperson actively engaged in ministry.
Course Content
This course covers the three core categories of Lay Servant Ministries: Leading, Caring, and Communicating; it also emphasizes ministry in daily life and sharing faith stories. The plans in this Leader’s Guide are designed to be taught in 5 two-hour sessions. They can also be used over a weekend or divided into more than 5 shorter sessions. Topics include:
Ministry of the Baptized
- priesthood of all believers
- spiritual gifts
- the need for a response to God’s call
- the role of laity in ministry
Leading
- servant leadership
- important roles in leadership
- what it means to be a spiritual leader
- Christian conferencing
Caring
- biblical basis for caring ministry
- acts of compassion and justice
- caring for creation
Communication
- guidelines for respectful communication
- listening skills
- sharing faith stories
Into the World
- understanding leaders’ role in fulfilling the Great Commission
- importance of continued study and spiritual growth
- role of hospitality
- Appreciative Inquiry and Asset-Based Community Development
Why Should Churches Teach this Class?
We believe in the power of Lay Servant Ministries classes to inspire and equip laity to step out and say “yes” to God’s call on their lives. But many laity will never take the step to join a district or conference-wide Lay Servant Ministries course. By encouraging local churches to offer this course “in house,” we hope that more laity can come to know the value of our connection, who we are as United Methodists, and the many ways they can step into ministry as laity in the UMC.
What Resources Are Available?
Participant Book – Course participants read this book in advance of sessions. Print and downloadable pdf copies are available for purchase from the Upper Room or Amazon.
Leader Guide – Written for facilitators, this book provides set-by-step lesson plans with everything you need to teach the course over five two-hour sessions. Material can be adapted to offer in other formats, including a weekend retreat, or 7+ shorter sessions. Print and downloadable pdf copies are available for purchase from the Upper Room.
Spanish Translation – Both the participant book and leader guide have been translated and are available from the Upper Room.
PowerPoint Slides – Discipleship Ministries has provided a free, 126-slide PowerPoint presentation for leaders!
Other Resources – Many free resources are available through Discipleship Ministries, including session devotions, closing worship, quizzes and activities, and materials designed to adapt the course for youth groups.
Challenge Accepted!
Who is Offering UM101?
Join this list of growing churches that have committed to offering UM101 for their congregation! When you accept the challenge, your church will be added to this list!
| Church | City/Town | District |
| Moyock UMC | Moyock, NC | Beacon |
| Riverside UMC | Elizabeth City, NC | Beacon |
| Soapstone UMC | Raleigh, NC | Capital |
| Genesis UMC | Cary, NC | Fairway |
| Piney Grove UMC | Maxton, NC | Gateway |
| St. Matthews UMC | Fayetteville, NC | Gateway |
| Ocean View UMC | Oak Island, NC | Harbor |
How it Works / FAQ
Who should teach the class?
Whoever normally might teach a Bible study or other small group class in your church! One option we recommend is having the pastor and lay leader partner to facilitate the course together, but churches can make these choices however they see fit. If your congregation already has a certified lay servant, certified lay speaker, or certified lay minister, we also encourage that layperson to be involved in leading the class!
Is there a fee to register?
No! Since the district is not running the course, there is no need to pay a registration fee to the district. The church can choose to purchase the books for participants or to ask participants to obtain their own copy of the book.
How long is the class?
All Lay Servant Ministry classes are designed as 10 hour courses. We recommend dividing the class into multiple shorter sessions with a devotion/worship time included in each session. When districts offer classes, the norm is to include 8 hours of in-person time with the remaining 2 hours credited for reading and any assignments completed before or after class.
How do our laity receive official LSM credit?
After the course is over, the pastor or course facilitator will send the names and contact information of everyone who successfully completed the course to their LSM district director. The district director will then make a record of course completion and provide course completion certificates.
How do I contact my district director?
We are so glad you asked! When you fill out the form to “Accept the Challenge!” your district director will receive a notification with your response so that she or he can reach out to answer questions and offer support. To find out who your district director is and reach out directly, visit our Lay Servant Ministries page. For additional support, you can reach out to cle@nccumc.org.
Can I talk to someone who has already taught the class?
Absolutely! Beacon District Director Tom Santa piloted this class in his church, Moyock UMC, and he is happy to share his experience and answer any questions you may have: tsanta5721@hotmail.com. In addition, you can check out our list of recently offered LSM courses at the bottom of our Upcoming Courses page to see a list of others who have taught the Basic course in the past year or two.