LAY SERVANT MINISTRIES ADVANCED COURSE – UM POLITY
Tuesdays, September 29, October 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM California (Pacific Time)
Tuesdays, September 29, October 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2026, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Hawaii (Hawaii Time)

Register Here

Zoom Online Platform

Cost & Deadlines: $30.00 and you must provide your own book (see below). Please note the deadline to register is Sunday, September 27, 2026. The class size will max at 30 participants and registration will close if that number is reached before the registration deadline.

About the Course:

Instructor: Deborah Bass

Deborah E. Bass Faith-Based Leader | Advocate for Elder Care | Trainer & Facilitator Deborah E. Bass is a committed faith leader and advocate, currently serving as Chairperson of National Black Methodists for Church Renewal,(BMCR) and Chairperson of the Cal-Pac Conference Committee on Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century. She is also a seasoned trainer and facilitator for the Office of Community Developers of the General Board of Global Ministries. A lifelong United Methodist and a third-generation member of the Church, Ms. Bass returned to her hometown of Compton, California in 2015 after 30 years of service in New York City with the General Board of Global Ministries. During her tenure there, she held key leadership positions, including Associate General Secretary for Community and Institutional Ministries and Deputy General Secretary for Administration. In 2008, she founded Bass Eldercare Resources, a mission-driven business helping seniors and their families navigate the complexities of aging and senior care. Certified in Gerontology Advocacy, she offered free educational seminars through churches and community-based organizations, with a focus on helping elders maintain independence and protect their assets. Currently the Lay Leader at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Compton, Ms. Bass continues to blend her passion for ministry, justice, and eldercare through both local and national leadership roles.

The course uses a Wesleyan theological frame—connection—to help readers understand United Methodism’s polity and organization as the interrelationship of our beliefs, mission, and practice. The course is organized into four parts—United Methodist beliefs, mission, practice, and organization. Polity and organization are primary embodiments of The United Methodist Church. Functional in nature, these aspects of the denomination facilitate our mission to make disciples for the transformation of the world. This book connects denominational governance and organization to our beliefs as well as our mission. A clear understanding of our identity—as Methodists with Wesleyan roots in connection—and our purpose—to make disciples for the transformation of the world—can help students of United Methodism navigate this treacherous landscape as present and future leaders.

• Provide your own book: All participants will need a copy of The Method of Our Mission by Laceye Warner (Amazon, Cokesbury, Upper Room).
• Classes are open to participants from all districts, and the class will be in an online format.
• Attendance is required at all sessions for credit and you must have your camera on to get credit for the course.  
• About Certified Lay Servant (CLS) and Certified Lay Speaker status: All those seeking certification as a Certified Lay Servant are invited to attend as well as any lay member wanting continuing education. The BASIC class and one Advanced Class is required to successfully apply for Certified Lay Servant status. If you have taken the Basic Lay Servant Class within the last three years, taking this advanced class will qualify you as a Certified Lay Servant.  If you want to continue on to being a Certified Lay SPEAKER, you will need to take the following advanced classes: Preaching, Leading or Planning Worship, Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts, Leading Prayer, United Methodist Heritage or History, and United Methodist Polity. For more information about Lay Servant Ministries, click here.
• Technical requirements for Zoom participants: To participate in Zoom  meetings, participants must have a reliable Internet connection, and a  laptop, tablet, or smartphone device that can download and install the  Zoom app. A web or phone camera and a microphone are highly recommended,  although some users may call in via phone if a mic is not available. Zoom information will be sent to you later by the instructor. 

Register Here

For more information about this course, contact Cathy Wilson at cwilson@calpacumc.org.