october, 2024
15oct(oct 15)6:00 PM12nov(nov 12)8:00 PM
Event Details
Dates: Tuesdays, October 15 – November 12, 2024, 6 PM – 8 PM PT [Note: Daylight Savings Time in California ends on Nov. 3 this year.]
- Hawai`i District (affected by Daylight Savings Time in California ending on Nov. 3): Tuesdays, October 15-29, 2024, 3 PM – 5 PM HST (11 AM Wednesdays ChST) & November 5-12, 2024, 4 PM – 6 PM HST (Noon Wednesdays ChST)
Location: online (Zoom)
Cost: $15 + you must provide your own book (see below)
Register by: October 10, 2024 (limited to 30 participants)
This class is open to participants from all Cal-Pac districts. All those seeking certification as a Certified Lay Servant are invited to attend.
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. The 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.
- Order this book: All participants will need a copy of The Method of Our Mission by Laceye Warner (Amazon, Cokesbury, Upper Room).
- The instructor is Rev. Rich Garner, former District Superintendent and chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry. Rev. Garner is a retired elder of the California-Pacific Conference and an experienced instructor for this course.
- Attendance is required at all sessions for credit. All those seeking certification as a Certified Lay Servant are invited to attend. The BASIC class and one Advanced Class is required to successfully apply for Certified Lay Servant status.
- About Certified Lay Servant (CLS) and Certified Lay Speaker status: 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: 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 by the instructor at a later time.
For questions, contact Rev. Richard Garner at rcgarner47@gmail.com.