School for Lay Ministry

Responding to a growing need for and interest in lay congregational leadership, many ELCA synods provide lay schools of ministry or theology within the synod that offers certification after a period of training to lay people who wish to participate more fully in their congregation and in their daily lives. In partnership with the synods of the ELCA of Northeastern, Northwestern and Southeastern Minnesota; Eastern and Western North Dakota; and South Dakota, Luther Seminary offers programs that fulfill some of the requirements for these particular synods.

Topics:

Adult Faith Formation
This course provides congregational leaders with models for adult faith formation with an emphasis on discipleship and vocation. Class sessions will include practicums on Bible study, story-linking, newcomer education, family and parenting education, practicing prayer and reconciliation and attending to other special needs among adults.

Practical Preaching Strategies for Sermon Preparation
Creating a sermon during a week already full of other ministry and life demands is no easy task. This class will give you the nuts and bolts of good and efficient sermon preparation and writing without cutting theological corners.

Brambles in the Biblical Thickets: Difficult Conversations between Jews and Christians
“Old and New,” “Jewish and Christian,” or “First and Second
Scriptures.” Even our labels for the Testaments bring unease. What happens when we select stories from each Testament and discover irreconcilably different understandings? When one is right and one is wrong, do we simply end our conversations? Or do we still seek learning from one another? We will examine passages from Deuteronomy, Matthew, Isaiah and John, among others.