Understanding the Call: Spiritual Disciplines and the Spiritual Gifts

Our first of the five foundational courses required for CLMinistry is “Understanding the Call: Spiritual Discipline and the Spiritual Gifts ”

REGISTER HERE.

Location: Alcoa First Methodist Church  617 Gilbert Street, Alcoa, TN, Saturday, June 22, 2024 from 9-4 ET.

Participant cost is $30 plus 2 required textbooks – see course requirements under the Course Description.

L A M P

Laity Academy for Ministry Preparation

Our goal in the Global Methodist Church is to faithfully prepare and equip laity as they bear the responsibility for carrying out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). The Certified Lay Minster is one area of ministry through which laity may be in ministry to others as individuals and as a part of the church.

1. For more information on the Certified Lay Minister, refer to Paragraphs 401 & 402 in the Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline.  This is from Part 4:  The Ministry of the Called.

The Certified Lay Minister Qualifications from Training Guidelines of the GMC Team on Lay Ministry.

• Professing Member of a local Global Methodist Church (or its predecessor) for at least two years.
• Satisfactory completion of a course in lay ministry, approved by the Commission on Higher Education and Ministry, covering the church’s doctrine, history, polity, and basic Bible knowledge.
• Satisfactory completion of at least one advanced course in lay ministry approved by the Commission on Higher Education and Ministry on an area of ministry (e.g., preaching, worship, leading, caring ministry, etc). Coursework or training in other settings may be counted to meet this requirement at the discretion of the board of ministry.
• National background check.
• Written recommendation by the pastor and endorsement by majority vote of the pastor-parish relations committee and the charge conference.
• Interview and approval by the annual conference board of ministry. A public service of commitment recognizing the certification is recommended.

Understanding the Call: Spiritual Discipline and the Spiritual Gifts

June 22, 2024- Seven contact hours and five reading/writing hours.

Course description

This course provides a deep understanding of the “called life” that comes with our salvation and our Baptism. We will look at the role of the Holy Spirit in our call, in spiritual growth through discipline, in ministry and in our gifts.  A theological and practical understanding will be provided on the gifts of the Holy Spirit with questionnaires to discover each person’s gifts and how they can be used to for building up the body of Christ.

Goals

1. Learn how to discern and understand God’s call.
2. Compare and contrast different calls and ministries.
3. Know the role of spiritual disciplines for spiritual growth and ministry.
4. Examine the meaning and scope of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
5. Explore the gifts of the Holy Spirit and their importance in the life of the church.
6. Take a personal inventory of your own gifts.
7. Evaluate how you can utilize the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in others to minister to all.

Course requirements

1. Attend the one-day face-to-face session.
2. At the June 22 Course event, the instructors will disseminate to each student the “Discover Your God-Given Gift Seminar Workbook” by Don and Katie Fortune.  You are asked to reimburse the cost of this Seminar Workbook ($7.25) to the instructor at that time.
3. Each student is also to acquire the book “Celebration of Discipline. Special Anniversary Edition: The Path to Spiritual Growth” by Richard J. Foster.   A hardback copy can be bought on Amazon for around $14.29.  Bring the Richard Foster book with you on June 22nd, but you do not have to have read the book by the 22nd.
4. Submit a 500-word Theological Reflection within two calendar weeks after taking the June 22 face-to face course to Kathleen Van Orsdel, 153 Scenic View Drive, Talbott, TN 37877. Focus on the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of your audience (congregation, Sunday School class, church committees, youth groups).  Remember that the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to all Christians, not just ordained clergy. Include a copy of your scores from the gift discovery questionnaires (pg 14 of workbook) taken on the 22nd.