Who is it for? Interested lay people, with a letter of referral from their pastor. Those who have already attended the Basic Class or Discernment Retreat and are unsure, are particularly encouraged to sign up. 

What is it?

Training will be on two tracks to equip lay people to better minister in their individual contexts: 

1) Preaching and leading spoken parts of Worship

2) Congregational Care and Discipleship 

Curriculum is based on  Module II, The Practice of Ministry from the CLM Resources distributed by the Upper Room with additional material from the experiences of those who are leading: Retired D.S./Clergy Rev. Bob Ruedebusch, and Rev. Doug Diehl, plus current Southwest D.S. Dan Bader, and Pastor Michele Slott.

There will be a bit of “prep-work” for each track before the weekend, and some field experience offered. Preaching students will be guest-preaching/leading worship before they are done with the weekend.

When: Trainings will take place over four weekends, running Friday 1pm CT - until Sunday at approximately 1pm CT.

•  October 28-30, 2022 - Rapid City - Preaching/Worship
•  January 27-29, 2022 - Rapid City - Congregational Care/Discipleship
•  April 28-30, 2023 - Rapid City*- Preaching/Worship *note change in the location
•  July 28-30, 2023 - Rapid City* - Congregational Care/Discipleship *note change in the location

Where: 

• Rapid City location for October and January, is at Open Heart UMC, Rapid City. 202 E. Indiana St., Rapid City, SD
• Rapid City location for April and July, is at Open Heart UMC, Rapid City. 202 E. Indiana St., Rapid City, SD

There is no fee to sign up, however, accommodations are up to the individual student to arrange. Some meals will be provided. We highly recommend those coming to the Rapid City training(s) to stay at Storm Mountain Camp.

Deadline for signing up is two weeks in advance. So by October 14th, January 13, April 14 and July 14th.