Dakotas Conference Lay Speaking Ministries Basic Course 2009 Barbara E. Goodman, Ph.D., Facilitator based on Lay Speaking Ministries Leader s Guide to accompany Lay Speaking Ministries Participant s Book by Sandy Zeigler Jackson with Brian Jackson Discipleship Resources, 2009
This course is designed for five two-hour sessions with different slides for each. This course can be done with two-three people in your church/charge. Each participant will need the Lay Speaking Ministries: Basic Course Participant s Book. The five sessions are: One: Ministry of the Baptized Two: Leading Three: Caring Four: Communicating Five: Into the World
This presentation is to supplement and accompany the presentation prepared by the authors for course facilitators and found at www.gbod.org/laity/lsm-basic_course. Assignments are modified and clarified so that this course can be done by a small group of individuals with study and thought. To obtain credit for taking this course using the online resources, each participant will be required to turn in reflections on all of the assignments and questions (see assignment sheet).
Preview sessions one through five and the biblical reflections. Write questions you have. Read 103 in The Book of Discipline. Observe and make notes on leadership styles in your community. Perform an act of compassion and an act of justice and be ready to discuss them. Be prepared to share your faith story with one other person in group. Find ways to practice hospitality at church and discuss its effect.
Pass out nametags and have participants complete registration Have the participants introduce themselves and share at least one fact that few others know Begin with Devotions for Session One Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10 Song: We Are Marching (The Faith We Sing #2235b) Reading: (next two slides)
Who is a minister? Pastors they practice the ministry of identity. Their work is among believers, as internists in Christ s body. They are called to teach me about my potential in Christ. I need this ministry to prevent amnesia that disease of the mind that causes me to forget who I am as a Christian. I am a minister too! I practice the ministry of vitality.
My work is in the world, as a farmer, a soldier, an ambassador, I am called to be salt, light, and leaven in a sick and broken world Monday through Saturday. The world needs this ministry to protect if from anemia that disease of the blood that slowly robs the system of its health. All Christians are in ministry! (Pete Hammond, Lessons, Prayers, & Scriptures on the Faith Journey [Intervarsity/USA Marketplace], 72.)
I have heard your call to priesthood, my Lord. I have heard your call to be in mission and ministry. Thank you for calling me out of darkness into your marvelous light. May I declare your praises in all that I am and in all that I do! AMEN
Describe the reality of the priesthood of all believers and God s call in our lives Discuss spiritual gifts; meaning and purpose Describe the need for a response to God s call Discuss the early Methodist movement and the role of laity
How do you feel about the notion that you are a priest/minister? Share your feelings or write your reflection. What is The Book of Discipline and what is its purpose? Discuss your call and your response to God by answering the following questions (p. 22). In what ways have you heard God s call in your life? How have you responded to that call? What gifts do you sense that you have for the ministry of all Christians?
Spiritual gifts are listed in your book on p.19. Discuss the purpose of spiritual gifts by listing responses on a flip chart or paper (p.17). Discuss what spiritual gifts are NOT. List responses on the flip chart (p.17).
Discuss examples of lay ministry from early Methodism (p.23-24). The slides from the author have some great pictures from early Methodism. How have these activities expanded or decreased in the church today? How are laity involved in United Methodism in the Dakotas today?
Break into groups that will be covenant groups throughout the course. Briefly discuss the biblical reflection questions on p.25 based on 1 Peter 2:9-10.
Describe the reality of the priesthood of all believers and God s call in our lives Discuss spiritual gifts; meaning and purpose Describe the need for a response to God s call Discuss the early Methodist movement and the role of laity
Read Session Two Observe and make notes on leadership styles in your church, community, or workplace. Someone please volunteer to lead devotion time next session.
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Let your good spirit lead me on a level path. AMEN
Welcome: Devotions Scripture: John 13:12-17 Song: Make Me a Servant (TFWS #2176) Reading: (see handout) Prayer: (next slide)
Thou who art over us, Thou who art one of us, Thou who art. Give me a pure heart, that I may see thee; A humble heart, that I may hear thee; A heart of love, that I may serve thee; A heart of faith, that I may abide in thee. AMEN
Describe servant leadership Discuss the important roles of leadership Describe and discuss what it means to be a spiritual leader Demonstrate the principles of Christian conferencing and describe the aspects of consensus and discernment
Read the General Rules in The Book of Discipline 103. On a flip chart, list the means of grace (p.31). Why is it important for leaders to practice these means of grace? Using the process of Christian conferencing on p.41, discuss your assigned situation and come to a consensus on a solution.
A leader in the church feels that a new ministry should be started in the community. It will require funding and support from the congregation. Should the church support it? The choir needs new robes. The current ones are shabby, and there are not enough of the right sizes. Should the church buy new ones or try to find some that another church has for sale? A problem has been noted with the conduct of a person in leadership. How should the person be approached about their behavior?
Discuss unity of ministry and developing new leaders. List ways that laity can work toward unity in ministry by supporting clergy, by good communication, and by prayer. Keep discussion positive. How did you come to this point in developing your leadership? Was there someone who mentored or encouraged you? List ways that you can encourage/mentor others to leadership.
Consult the great ideas for sharing leadership roles in the slides from the author.
Discuss the questions in the biblical reflection on p.43-44 for John 13:12-17. Include your observations of leadership styles in your church, community, or work place from your assignment from the last session.
Describe servant leadership Discuss the important roles of leadership Describe and discuss what it means to be a spiritual leader Demonstrate the principles of Christian conferencing and describe the aspects of consensus and discernment
Read Session Three. Perform an act of compassion and an act of justice if you have not yet. Someone please volunteer to lead devotion time next session.
Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. AMEN
Welcome: Devotions Scripture: Matthew 25:35-37, 40 Song: Freely, Freely (United Methodist Hymnal #389) Reading: (see handout) Prayer: (next slide)
Lord, forgive my possessive and selfish nature. Help my attempts at becoming a good steward of all the opportunities and gifts that you provide. Help me to remember and reach out to those without daily bread or the Good News of salvation! Please make me generous like you. AMEN (adapted from Pete Hammond, Lessons, Prayers, & Scriptures on the Faith Journey [Intervarsity/USA Marketplace],109.)
Discuss the biblical basis for caring ministry Compare and contrast acts of compassion and acts of justice Discuss several types of caring ministries Discuss ways to show care for creation
List acts of compassion and justice that members of the group performed. Discuss the differences between them (p.49-50). Discuss types of caring ministries in your church. Identify ways individuals or congregations can do more to reach out into your community.
List ways that you can be a good steward of the earth and other gifts God has given us. Discuss making a commitment to practice care of creation. What can you do in our wasteful culture to help improve our environment and the world s natural resources?
Discuss the questions in the biblical reflection on p.54 for Matthew 25:31-46.
Discuss the biblical basis for caring ministry Compare and contrast acts of compassion and acts of justice Discuss several types of caring ministries Discuss ways to show care for creation
Read Session Four. Plan to share your faith story with others next session.
For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, For the love which from our birth over and around us lies; Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. AMEN
Welcome: Devotions Scripture: Romans 10:14-15, 17 Song: To God Be the Glory vs. 1 and 2 (UMH #98) Reading: (see handout) Prayer: (next slide)
We believe in you, O God, for you have made the suffering of humanity your suffering. You have come to establish a kingdom of the poor and humble. Today we sing to you, because you are alive, you have saved us, you have made us free. AMEN (UMH #511)
Discuss the importance of communication skills in various settings List the respectful communication guidelines Describe the process of mutual invitation Demonstrate listening skills Share your faith stories with others
Write the acronym RESPECT vertically on the flip chart (p.62). Fill in the words and discuss why each is important. How can you ensure RESPECT during meetings? Practice the process of mutual invitation (p. 63). Discuss listening skills (p.63-65). List what constitutes a good listener vs. a poor listener. Divide group into pairs and share faith stories with each other.
How were the communication skills of the sharer? How were the listening skills of the listener? Can you the sharer think of ways that you could improve your communication with the listener? Can you the listener think of ways that you could improve your listening of the sharer?
Did the listener make eye contact with staring? Did the listener nod, smile, or use other facial expressions to indicate that he or she was listening? Did the listener interrupt you? Did the listener appear closed to what you were saying? Positive comments for listener Suggestions for listener
Did the speaker maintain your personal space? Did the speaker pronounce words correctly and speak clearly? Did the story flow well? Was the story disorganized and difficult to follow? Did the speaker look at you while they were talking? Did the speaker use annoying or distracting gestures or speech patterns? Positive comments for speaker Suggestions for speaker
Individually journal the answers to the questions in the biblical reflection on p.70 for Romans 10:14-15,17. List ways that you can make a difference in your daily lives at work, home, school or in the community.
Discuss the importance of communication skills in various settings List the respectful communication guidelines Describe the process of mutual invitation Demonstrate listening skills Share your faith stories with others
Read Session Five. Find ways to practice hospitality at church or during a meeting this week.
Gather joys and concerns and then pray together: Take my life! Lord, put me to doing your work and your will in the world so that the lost and hungry souls may be attracted to your love and mercy and be drawn into the embrace of your love. AMEN (Rueben Job and Norman Shawchuck, A Guide to Prayer for Those Who Seek God, [Nashville, Upper Room Books, 2003], 407.)
Welcome: Devotions Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20 Song: Lead Me, Lord (UMH #473) Reading: (see handout) Prayer: (next slide)
God, you are like a baker. The leaven you provide raises our hopes. You shape our lives with your hands they are strong but gentle. We ask that you warm us in the oven of your love. Form our common lives by your grace so that we may in turn nourish hope in the world. We trust in you. AMEN
Describe your role in fulfilling the Great Commission Discuss the importance of continued study and spiritual growth in the life of Christian leaders Discover the important role of hospitality in the church Briefly describe Appreciative Inquiry and Asset-Based Community Development and discuss ways these tools can be used to spread the gospel
Discuss the importance of continuous study and the need for spiritual growth as disciples and leaders. List ways that you can continue study. List opportunities for ongoing spiritual growth.
Discuss your experiences practicing hospitality both in the church and at meetings. What difference does it make? To the other person and to yourself?
Basic tenets of appreciative inquiry include: 1.Appreciating and valuing the best of what is 2.Envisioning what might be 3.Dialoguing what should be 4.Innovating what will be Assume that an organization is a mystery to be embraced.
ABCD principles: 1. ask and learn about gifts 2. discover motivation to act 3. mobilize those most able and willing to act on what you share in common 4. keep asking questions, keep discovering possible leaders, and keep building relationships
Discuss how looking at assets and positive experiences rather than focusing on a lack of resources or negative experiences could change the way you plan and evaluate ministries. How might the outlook regarding opportunities change? Discuss organizations in the community that might become partners in mission and ministry. How could your mission and ministry expand if you join resources with other churches or community organizations?
How can you work together to care for God s people and promote the kingdom of God on earth?
Review questions below from the biblical reflection on p. 80 for Matthew 28:16-20.
Describe your role in fulfilling the Great Commission Discuss the importance of continued study and spiritual growth in the life of Christian leaders Discover the important role of hospitality in the church Briefly describe Appreciative Inquiry and Asset-Based Community Development and discuss ways these tools can be used to spread the gospel
Next steps for lay speaking ministries: 1) To become a recognized lay speaker, you need to submit an annual report to your church/charge conference and be voted on as a local lay speaker. 2) To become a certified lay speaker, you need to do #1 and to complete at least one advanced lay speaking ministries course every 3 years. 3) To become a certified lay speaker who can preach in local churches and be listed in journal, in addition to #2, you need to complete the Lay Speakers Preach course once every 3 years.
Have someone lead the group in the closing worship Complete the evaluation of the training