Several times a year, BeADisciple.com hosts online courses which have been approved by the General Board of Discipleship as an advanced course in Lay Servant Ministries. These are designated by the GBOD logo “Learning and Leading." While anyone is welcome to enroll for a great learning experience only those who have completed the Lay Servant Basic Course and have been certified as UM Lay Servants are eligible for re-certification through these courses. Some of the courses are also approved as advanced courses towards the Lay Speaking Ministries certificate. Listed below are the courses anticipated for 2013. If dates are not listed, then dates may have not yet been set. To inquire, email BeADisciple@sckans.edu.

Biblical Storytelling I -- April 8-22, 2013 -- $55

This course has been approved by the General Board of Discipleship as an advanced course in Lay Servant Ministries.

Learning the sacred stories of Scripture by heart and sharing them with others is both an ancient-future art and a powerful spiritual practice. This workshop’s methods, developed by the Network of Biblical Storytellers International, are for everyone who wishes to learn, to tell and to connect with God and other people through sacred story – yes, you can do it too! By the end of the two-week workshop you will be able to share at least one text with others by heart, and you will understand how this completely non-technological art fits into a digital-communications world. Whether you work with children in Sunday School or dream of bringing Scripture to life in worship or elsewhere, your ministry and your spirit will be enriched by this art. This class is recognized for United Methodist Advanced Lay Servant credit by the General Board of Discipleship.

This is a two-week introduction to the ancient-future art and spiritual discipline of telling the sacred stories of Scripture. Participants will learn to prepare, learn, and tell a Biblical text by heart (not “memory”) using the methods of the Network of Biblical Storytellers International. The workshop is taught by NBS member and United Methodist deacon Beth Galbreath. There is a daily assignment (except Sundays), usually involving a short document to read and online discussion. There is also online exploration and creative work. You will get your money's worth!

Read a past participant testimony regarding this course.

Access to all BeADisciple.com courses begins at noon Central Time of the publicized start day. You will receive an email containing web location and login information that morning, so please be sure to add the email address BeADisciple@sckans.edu to your list of approved senders. If you have questions about how online workshops work, please check our FAQ's page.

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Biblical Storytelling II -- Fall 2013 dates to be determined -- $80

This course has been approved by the General Board of Discipleship as an advanced course in Lay Servant Ministries.

This workshop expands on the methods taught in Biblical Storytelling I. It explores a number of storytelling genres as well as telling the Biblical text, including midrash, chancel drama, first-person storytelling, puppetry, and more. The workshop also offers specific ideas for learning tough passages, using and not abusing voice and body, and enhancing tellings with props, digital media and more, with children and adults. It also suggests ways to deepen your practice of this art as a personal spiritual discipline. Anyone who is already practicing the art of storytelling, Biblical or secular, is welcome; Biblical Storytelling I is an excellent starting place for those new to the art but is not required. In this three-week workshop you will dive deeper into developing your unique storytelling “voice,” expand your technique and polish your art.

Biblical Storytelling I is not a prerequisite for Biblical Storytelling II, but previous storytelling experience is highly recommended.

The workshop is offered by experienced storyteller, Beth Galbreath. There is a daily assignment (except Sundays), usually involving a short document to read and online discussion. There is also online exploration and creative work. You will get your money's worth!

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Come to the Table -- April 8-22, 2013 -- $55

This course has been approved by the General Board of Discipleship as an advanced course in Lay Servant Ministries.

Deepen your experience of Holy Communion through this wide-ranging study of This Holy Mystery, Scripture, Church history and United Methodist theology and practice of the sacrament. This course will reference, but go beyond, the official U.M. documents to include art, music, film and video resources to enrich our understanding and participation in the holy meal. The class includes help in starting a Eucharistic ministry and discussion of the unique sacramental challenges of the digital age.

Participants will need a Bible and U.M. Hymnal and, if possible, a Book of Worship; other materials will be downloaded. Class members should be prepared for daily reading, reflection and online discussion. This study is guaranteed to deepen your experience of Holy Communion, providing resources and ideas for all, both laypeople and clergy, who plan and lead worship and provide pastoral care.

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Rediscovering Our Spiritual Gifts -- April 15-28, 2013 -- $60

This course has been approved by the General Board of Discipleship as an advanced course in Lay Servant Ministries. In addition, this course also meets one of the requirements for Lay Speakers.

The early church knew what today's church is rediscovering: that Christians depend on God's spiritual gifts to provide the foundation for their ministry. Whether you're discovering your own spiritual gifts or rediscovering them again, learn more about how they support your Lay Servant ministries in this two-week workshop. Guided by instructor, Beth Perry, participants will worship, discuss, interact, and journal or blog throughout the two weeks (with catch-up time on the weekends) in order to earn their 10 contact hours.

The only material participants will need to order will be the Discipleship Resources book, Each One a Minister, by William J. Carter. It is highly recommended that you read the book before the online course begins. This will help with time-management.

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Green Church -- March 7-22, 2013 -- $75

This course has been approved by the General Board of Discipleship as an advanced course in Lay Servant Ministries.

In the Bible, salvation and creation are intimately connected. From Genesis' stories of beginnings to Revelation's vision of the renewing of the Earth, the salvation story is set within the context of creation. Yet at the same time, Mother Earth's natural features and abundant creatures are suffering from environmental stresses.

How to reconcile the two? The answer lies in practicing biblical stewardship of the earth.

Based on the book by the same name, and taught by author Rebekah Simon-Peter, this two-and-a-half week Lenten course is designed to introduce participants to biblical concepts of stewardship of the earth. And how to integrate them into the life of the believer. Through this online community, participants will receive support, share insights, and generate creativity to move their communities of faith into becoming Green Churches.

In this empowering class you'll learn how you can take positive and inspiring actions that move your congregation toward a deeper shade of green. Each participant will need a copy of Green Church, available on Kindle, e-book, or in softcover.

Learning and Leading

The course will include a project designed to be shared in one's church or faith community.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Rocky Mountain Conference Board of Church and Society (United Methodist), the first 5 Rocky Mountain Conference participants to enroll will receive a free Green Church curriculum set! Members of the Rocky Mountain Conference, claim your books by forwarding your receipt along with your shipping address to Rebekah Simon-Peter at rspeter1@msn.com.

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Growing Spiritually Through Daily Discipline -- January 14 to March 1, 2013 -- $50

Course is FULL

Do you want to grow in your faith journey?
Do you want to help others grow in their faith journey?

This course has been approved by the General Board of Discipleship as an advanced course in Lay Servant Ministries.

This seven-week course uses the texts Grow Spiritually Through Daily Discipline and Devotional Life in Wesleyan Tradition (Steve Harper). Participants will be guided in discerning God's direction for their lives, practicing daily disciplines, and reaching out in love. Participants will participate in weekly class discussions based on their readings and will also experience an online small accountability group. The course will be led by Debra Dickerson. Participants are responsible for getting their own texts.

Participants will need to purchase the texts prior to the start of the workshop. Participants will be expected to be actively involved in the classroom (online) a minimum of three times per week. The accountability group assignments will be divided by gender unless there are not enough enrolled to make a group.

This course has been approved by the General Board of Discipleship as an advanced course in Lay Servant Ministries.

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Life Together in the United Methodist Connection -- April 22 to May 6, 2013 -- $55

This course has been approved by the General Board of Discipleship as an advanced course in Lay Servant Ministries. In addition, this course also meets one of the requirements for Lay Speakers.

Why does the United Methodist Church do things the way it does? Why is our pastor being reassigned? Why don't we get to vote on our new pastor? How do we get things done, like renovating our building or starting a new ministry? What are the rules - and why are they the rules? And what does any of this have to do with trying to be a place and a people that embody the Kingdom of God?

Both laypeople and clergy are often confused and, even, frustrated by those questions and more. This class will help newcomers to the U.M.C. get their bearings and longtime members consider the specific structural challenges the church faces in the 21st Century. Participants will need the textbook, "Polity, Practice and the Mission of the United Methodist Church" (in the latest edition available) by Thomas Edward Frank, and the latest ¬"United Methodist Book of Discipline." Participants should be prepared to read assignments and post their reflections on the discussion boards daily, but there is no set time to be online. (Getting and reading the book before the class starts, if possible, will make the class more relaxed and fun.)

This class has been approved for advanced Lay Servant Ministries credit and is the "polity" class required for lay speaker certification. 1 CEU for clergy and staff is also available.

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Living Our United Methodist Beliefs -- April 22 to May 6, 2013 -- $55

This course has been approved by the General Board of Discipleship as an advanced course in Lay Servant Ministries. In addition, this course also meets one of the requirements for Lay Speakers.

The history, heritage, beliefs, mission and culture of the United Methodist Church for anyone who wants to know what's distinctive about being a United Methodist Christian. We'll explore the special gifts of theology, witness and organization that the United Methodist Church brings to the Church universal, how we got where we are today and how our distinctive emphases are still needed in the 21st Century church.

Participants must have the book, "Living Our Beliefs: The United Methodist Way," by Bishop Kenneth Carder. Other materials will be downloaded. Participants should be prepared to read assignments and post their reflections on the discussion boards daily, but there is no set time to be online. (Getting and reading the book before the class starts, if possible, will make the class more relaxed and fun.)

This class is one of the classes required for Lay Servant Ministries lay speaker certification. 1 CEU for clergy and other staff is also available.

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Multimedia Technology in Worship for the Church Volunteer 101 -- May 6-17, 2013 -- $60

This course has been approved by the General Board of Discipleship as an advanced course in Lay Servant Ministries.

The use of multi-media technology in worship is growing at an exponential rate. Congregations of all sizes are acknowledging the gift of media technology; however very few have access to formal training.

Rev. John Zimmerman brings 25 years of pastoral ministry and his gift of implementing multi-media technology in worship to this seminar. Students will be introduced to the hardware and software in worship technology and discover their ability to plan, create and implement technology in a worship setting. The workshop will also help the student learn about worship itself and the role of technology in design, appropriateness and excellence. Special consideration will be given to budget and a low-cost approach to technology implementation.

This workshop is designed for the church volunteer or pastor who would classify themselves as “beginners” in multi-media experience. (Please note that since the workshop utilizes some software that is windows-based MAC users may find some limitations.)

This course has been approved by the General Board of Discipleship as an advanced course in Lay Servant Ministries.

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Leading Worship 101 for Lay People -- $75 ($10 refund given to each if two or more members of the same congregation enroll together.)* -- Possibly offered again in Fall 2013

Do you read Scripture or lead the people in prayers on Sunday morning?

Would you like to sharpen your skills for the way you communicate at the lectern?

Leading Worship 101 will focus on basic worship leadership skills for lay persons (“liturgists” or “lay readers”) who assist the pastor in leading Christian worship. If you currently help lead worship in your congregation or would like to prepare for such leadership, this course is for you. Particular emphasis will be given to basic skills: understanding your leadership role in relation to other leaders and the congregation, reading Scripture, leading prayer, distribution of the elements at the Lord’s Supper, and basic do’s and don’ts of effective worship leadership. Deacons, elders/presbyters, and lay worship leader coordinators are also welcome, particularly with an eye to doing local training and providing support to lay readers/assisting ministers in their local church settings.

The course is offered by Daniel Benedict . This course is intensive. There will be daily assignments (Monday-Friday) for reading and for course interaction. Participants should plan on spending at least an hour a day.There will be a week of break during the course to allow for catch up and rest.

*To receive the refund: the members must enroll at full price then one will need to email Lisa Buffum to request the refund.

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