School-for-Lay-Ministry-logo-250x306The Northwestern Minnesota Synod'southward School for Lay Ministry building's purpose is to provide Adult Christian Education in the areas of Worship, Old and New Testament, Lutheran Confessions, Pastoral Care, and Church History. To do this, we draw on the gifts of seminary professors, those who serve in specialized ministries, and others.

What is expected? While some of the participants of the program do fill in for pastors or serve congregations in other ways, that is not the expectation. Many come up to acquire more and grow in their faith. Nosotros would dear to see y'all there!

Purpose

And so, beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Allow them be a living and holy sacrifice, the kind he will accept. When you call up of what he has done for you lot, is this besides much to ask? Don't re-create the behavior and customs of this earth, just let God transform yous into a new person by changing the manner you think. Then y'all will know what God wants you to practise, and y'all will know how skilful and pleasing and perfect His will really is.
Romans 12:1-2

We believe in the life-long calling to live out our baptismal covenant, to learn, to grow, to serve, and to dear one another. Our synods' school for lay ministry building embraces the vital ministry of helping God'southward people to discern and use their gifts with conviction within their families, friends, congregations, and communities.

Nosotros seek to deepen the understanding of theologically-curious laity; and empower lay people to serve their congregations every bit life-long learners, educators, friendly visitors to those in need, evangelists, lay preachers, worship leaders, musicians, ministers of prayer, and other pathways to serving God and neighbour.

History

School-for-Lay-Ministry-4-275x300The nowadays program originated in the western Northward Dakota District, ALC, in the 1980s. It was a plan to equip lay people to preach where ordained people were unavailable. Neighboring synods with similar needs founded similar programs. Parishes in Northwestern Minnesota heard most this opportunity and immediately later on the formation of the ELCA in 1988, the NWMN synod established a school of lay ministry. Information technology was called the "GIFTS" program.

In 2011, the Northwestern Minnesota and Eastern North Dakota synods joined together to share and grow this ministry. In addition to supporting lay preaching, the program now provides instruction for lay people for their own purposes and edification, as well as equips lay people to serve their neighbors as Bible study leaders, Dominicus School teachers, parish visitors, music leaders, and in many other ways.

Certificate Plan

School-for-Lay-Ministry-1-300x218Completion of the document programme is not necessarily the goal of people who attend School for Lay Ministry classes. If a participant wishes to work toward a certificate, they mustcomplete of all six categories required for eligibility (Old Testament, New Testament, Worship and Liturgy, Pastoral Care, Lutheran Confessions, and Church History). They must also attend at to the lowest degree one session of a Luther Seminary'south School for Lay Ministry classes, which can help fulfill i curriculum category requirement.

People often continue attending classes later on they obtain a certificate as role of their life-long learning to live out their baptismal covenant.

Students should proceed track of their ain credits, and when they take completed the half-dozen course categories and seminary session, they can submit a asking to the School of Lay Ministry Advisory Committee for approval to receive a certificate. The certificate grants no special privileges.

Download a helpful worksheet to proceed rail of completed classes: PDF| DOCX

Curriculum

Classes are offered at a key location three times per year. Courses are ordinarily offered inOctober, Feb, and Apr. Courses are usually held from 10:00 am to four:00 pm on aSat.

School-for-Lay-Ministry-2-300x216Over a two year period, courses are offered in:

  1. Erstwhile Testament
  2. New Testament
  3. Worship and Liturgy
  4. Pastoral Intendance
  5. Lutheran Confessions
  6. Church History

To teach these classes, nosotros draw on the gifts of seminary professors, those who serve in specialized ministries, and others.

Cost

At present, the fee is $fifty which includes morning refreshments and a apex repast.

Awarding

If y'all or someone you know would like to participate in the certification programme, download theSchoolhouse for Lay Ministry Program Awarding Form: PDF | DOCX Please fill out and mail to the NWMN Synod Office.

More Data

For more than detailed information nigh the Schoolhouse for Lay Ministry, please download the Schoolhouse for Lay Ministry Brochure. Please print and share this brochure in your congregation or with people in whom you lot see the gifts and desire to be a part of this ministry building.

Contact:

School for Lay Ministry

C/O Northwestern Minnesota Synod
Concordia College
Moorhead, MN 56562

NWMN Synod Office: (218) 299-3019

School-for-Lay-Ministry-3-300x257

Pastor Laurie Natwick

(218) 299-3019
natwick@string.edu

Jerry Peterson

(218) 736-5515
mapgjp1944@msn.com

Pastor Sue Koesterman

(701) 232-2574
pastorsue@churches-united.org