Laity Training Materials
Laity Training Day 2026 Presentations
Additional Resources
Lay Servant Ministries
Lay Servant Ministries is a lay leadership development program within The United Methodist Church that equips and empowers laity to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ and to lead others into discipleship through service, teaching and witness. For questions, please contact HTC Director of Lay Servant Ministries Chris Buse.
BeADisciple
BeADisciple offers online studies, courses, and certification programs rooted in Wesleyan theology on a variety of ministry, formation, and leadership topics.
Discipleship Ministries
Discipleship Ministries connects leaders with needed resourcing, training, consulting, and networking that support spiritual formation, new church development, revitalization of local churches, and materials for use in Central Conferences.
ResourceUMC
This is an online destination for leaders throughout The United Methodist Church. Find ideas and information to inspire United Methodist leaders throughout the connection.
Online Content for Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation
www.umofficialresources.com/Guidelines
This website provides information and handouts related to the Guidelines, including to conducting leadership training in your local church.
Appreciative Inquiry
www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/teacher-tips-some-teachinglearning-ideas1
“Teacher Tips: Some Teaching/Learning Ideas” offers a variety of activities designed to creatively engage youth and young adults using appreciative inquiry. These activities can be used to discuss current and biblical issues.
Christian Conferencing
www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/guidelines-for-holy-conferencing-what-god-expects-of-us
“Guidelines for Holy Conferencing: What God Expects of Us” provides a listing of guidelines for having conversations using Christian conferencing.
Finance Resources
The General Council on Finance and Administration
Creating Narrative Budgets
www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/creating-a-narrative-budget-the-story-behind-the-numbers
The Church Audit: It’s Easier Than You Think!
www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/march-14-2023-the-church-audit-its-easier-than-you-think
75-minute video of March 14, 2023 webinar.
Local Church Audit Guide
https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/gbod-assets/generic/local-church-audit-guide-february-2021.pdf
Trustee Resources
Disability Ministries UMC
Able Privilege Exercise
www.umcdmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/23ac_able.pdf
Nominations & Leadership Development Resources
Nominations and Leadership Development Resources
www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/nominations-and-leadership-development-guidelines-resources
S/PPRC Resources
Engaging Conflict and Learning to Listen
www.umcdiscipleship.org/blog/engaging-conflict-and-learning-to-listen
An article about having courageous conversations.
Job Descriptions
www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/local-church-officer-job-descriptions