About
The Mississippi Lay Ministry Academy will assist laity in forming foundational leadership skills in order to more fully assist our small membership churches and their pastors to broaden, deepen, and enrich ministry. The Academy will discover, develop, and deploy lay ministers into our conference for the building of God's Kingdom. The Academy's goal is to provide an encompassing curriculum along with instructors who are able and willing to assist and disciple those involved. It will be composed of eight modules with approximately ten hours contact time with another eight hours of outside assignments.
Our first module will begin with definitions, processes, and clarification. The student will receive instruction in what lay ministry is, how it is practiced, his/her place in that ministry, and know how that place is attained. In our second module, the students will examine themselves and their relationship with God through Christ Jesus, being led by the Holy Spirit. In our third module, the students will develop an understanding of their call, leadership, team building, along with mission and evangelism. In our fourth module, students will review the Word of God, learn a system of study and application, along with introduction and practice of teaching principles. In our fifth module, students will learn to apply principles and guidelines of leading a basic worship service, along with special services, liturgy, preaching, and administrating. In our final module, students will gain knowledge and understanding of the UMC history, policy and doctrine.
The program is designed to grow disciples as well as equip ministers. We begin with building a foundation so we may communicate what is possible and the process of attaining what is possible. In modules two through six, we build our ministers from the inside out. We must experience that saving grace and then journey as the Father transforms us beginning with the heart and heat; moving it into our wills so that we act upon our beliefs. Then we grow our understanding of what ministry is and how to do it. Then of course, we learn the process for putting it to work. We must also know the administration and organization end of ministry for God is not a God of confusion.
Our first module will begin with definitions, processes, and clarification. The student will receive instruction in what lay ministry is, how it is practiced, his/her place in that ministry, and know how that place is attained. In our second module, the students will examine themselves and their relationship with God through Christ Jesus, being led by the Holy Spirit. In our third module, the students will develop an understanding of their call, leadership, team building, along with mission and evangelism. In our fourth module, students will review the Word of God, learn a system of study and application, along with introduction and practice of teaching principles. In our fifth module, students will learn to apply principles and guidelines of leading a basic worship service, along with special services, liturgy, preaching, and administrating. In our final module, students will gain knowledge and understanding of the UMC history, policy and doctrine.
The program is designed to grow disciples as well as equip ministers. We begin with building a foundation so we may communicate what is possible and the process of attaining what is possible. In modules two through six, we build our ministers from the inside out. We must experience that saving grace and then journey as the Father transforms us beginning with the heart and heat; moving it into our wills so that we act upon our beliefs. Then we grow our understanding of what ministry is and how to do it. Then of course, we learn the process for putting it to work. We must also know the administration and organization end of ministry for God is not a God of confusion.