Lay Speaking Classes

Lay Speakers are active, supportive members of the United Methodist church who are eager to serve through the church. Local Lay Speakers serve their local churches while Certified Lay Speakers serve in their own churches, in other churches and through district or conference projects and programs. (A Lay Speaker is not required to preach!)

Utah Subdistrict
Peaks Subdistrict
Sunshine District

Utah Lay Speaking Classes

Basic and Advanced courses are offered twice a year in Utah. Each course is 10 hours and is held on a Friday and Saturday.

Mountain Vista United Methodist Church in West Jordan on Oct 24 & 25th. (Friday 6:30-10pm, Saturday 8:30am – 5pm) Lunch will be provided on Saturday.

Basic Course: Cost $35 (includes book)
Advanced Course: Lay Speakers Lead in Evangelism; Cost Books + $18

Persons wishing to take the advanced course must order the books prior to the class. If you would like to take the Evangelism class, please call or order the 2 books from Discipleship Resources. www.discipleshipresources.org (800) 972-0433. Please order:

DR200 - $5.00 (Lay Speakers Lead in Evangelism) and
DR153 - $12.00 (The Faith-Sharing Congregation)

Please call Cheryl Elliott, District Director of Lay Speaking Ministries in Utah, at (801) 568-0108 to reserve a place in either course and to get information on how to order the Evangelism class books.

PLEASE NOTE!!! All Lay Speakers must take a lay speaking course at least once every three years in order to maintain their standing as a Lay Speaker. Lay Speakers who have not taken a class since 2005 must take a class this year. Please call Cheryl with any questions about this new requirement or any other questions about becoming a Lay Speaker.

Please invite others in your church to take the Basic Course and spread the word.

Please let me know by phone or e-mail if you are planning to attend. Please remember that if you haven't taken a course since 2005, you need a class this year. Otherwise your certification will "lapse".

Hope to see you in October!

- Cheryl Elliott
Lay Speaking Ministries Director
Utah Sub District
(801) 884-3659

Peaks Subdistrict Learning & Leading Classes Scheduled

Four valuable learning and leading classes will be held on October 4 and 5 at Trinity UMC, Loveland. The ten-hour courses, sponsored by the Peaks Subdistrict Leadership Team and Lay Speaking Ministries, include:

Accountable Discipleship. A Wesleyan course, including understandings of grace, the household of God, Scripture as divine revelation. Participants will look at their own faith community, and see how it is (or is not) a reflection of genuine Christian community.
Reclaiming the ‘E’ Word- Building a Faith-Sharing Congregation. The task of the church is to make disciples, and the role of the congregation is primary. Participants will consider their church’s ‘E’ score, that is, welcoming, including, and making disciples, and consider a strategy for the congregation as evangelist.
Lay Speakers Tell Stories. This course will be a valuable learning tool for all who wish to enhance their own verbal ‘word picture’ skills, especially those who lead worship or occasionally fill the pulpit. Text for the course is Dancing With Words, written by Native American storyteller, Ray Buckley.
Lay Speaking Ministries – Basic Course. The introductory course in lay speaking ministries, focuses on leading, caring and communicating, and is designed for those who are called to serve in a speaking role, particularly during worship.

Additional course information and enrollment forms are available from Rae Batch, (970) 224-0400 or by email at rmlbatch@aol.com. More information and registration form.

Lay Speaking in Sunshine Scheduled

The Sunshine District is offering a basic lay speaking class and an advanced lay speaking class on November 14 and 15 at Vineland UMC. The advanced class, taught by Rev. Gary Goettel, focuses on personal devotional life and preaching. The basic class is taught by Certified Lay Minister Gary Stephens. For registration information contact the Sunshine District Office at sunshinedistrict@qwestoffice.net.

Lay Speaker Annual Form Now Online

The Lay Speaker Annual Report form for the Rocky Mountain Conference is now online. Visit the District Forms page.

(index)