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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
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May/June 2005 |
North Indiana Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members formulate 'Basic Training' for Certified Lay Ministers
By Mike Smith
Former Indiana Area Bishop Woodie W. White had a vision for each Supply Pastor to have ministry training enabling him or her to have a basic knowledge of how to better serve their local church. White asked the North Indiana Conference Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members to cultivate his request by designing an educational opportunity for Supply Pastors.
The North Indiana Conference FOLPAAM Executive Committee took Bishop White's request to heart and worked hard at framing the new Supply Pastor's training. Unfortunately, at the 2004 General Conference the category of Supply Pastor was replaced with the new title of Certified Lay Minister (The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church 2004 272) which put our work into jeopardy.
Now our current Indiana Area Bishop Mike Coyner asked FOLPAAM to rewrite and adjust Supply Pastor training to adapt to the new Certified Lay Minister category as per the requirements of The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church 2004 ?272.
FOLPAAM's Executive Committee made the necessary changes and titled the
Certified Lay Ministers training as "Basic Training." Basic Training was
presented and approved by the Board of Ordained Ministry on March 9 and by
Coyner and the NIC Cabinet on March 28.
This course of study is designed to help new lay ministers build a solid
foundation for their ministry and leadership within the congregation they serve,
to provide some basic training in the practical aspects of ministry and to help
avoid some common pitfalls. In addition this course would be an opportunity for
worship, personal sharing, encouragement, support and spiritual renewal.
All Supply Pastors, unless otherwise credentialed, would be required to participate in the Basic Training Course. As additional advanced courses are made available, attendance at those sessions would be determined by participants in consultation with their District Superintendent.
The Basic Training for Certified Lay Ministers is proposed to begin in spring 2006 as well as in fall 2006. There will be advanced classes offered next year as The United Methodist Book of Discipline requires continued education for Certified Lay Ministers. The Basic training will be broken into two eight-hour sessions. Basic1 will include: Worship Planning and Preparation, Pastoral Care and Conflict Resolution. Basic 2 will include: Sacraments and Confirmation (Certified Lay Ministers will have no sacramental rights, but will need to understand the United Methodist doctrine concerning the sacraments,) Church Administration and Balancing Family and Spiritual Life.
Leadership will be provided by members of the Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members who have completed their Course of Study requirements. In addition we will be drawing upon the expertise of other pastors, staff and lay persons from within the North Indiana Conference as needed.
The Rev. Mike Smith serves as co-vice chair of the Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members for the North Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008