Introduction to Christ Servant Ministry  (All are welcome)​​​

• August 1 & 2 - The next in-person Introduction to Christ Servant Ministry will be presented at the Laity Academy on August 1 & 2.   The primary instructor for Christ Servant Ministry - The Journey Begins will be Judy Ehninger.  The course needs at least 12 participants and is limited to the first 16 registrations.

•     Register online by clicking the following link:  

•                  August 2025 Laity Academy Registration Now Open 

•   For more information contact either Instructor, Judy Ehninger...

•   or the Conference Director of Christ Servant Ministries, George Hollich. ​​

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Advanced Training  (All are welcome)​​​​​​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​​​​​

• August 1 & 2 - The 41st EPAUMC Laity Academy will be held on August 1 and 2 at Eastern University in St. Davids, PA.  Beginning with fellowship and worship and the first session of class on Friday night, the academy continues with another 6 hours of class on Saturday and includes breakfast and lunch in Eastern’s dining hall. There will be a short program during lunch. The course catalog includes 12 classes, all approved for either  CSM or CLM credit. The advanced courses to be offered in person at this year's Laity Academy include...

      * Community Engagement – Instructor: Alyssa Ruch

      *. Finishing Strong – Instructors: Margie Krut and Celeste Schiller

      * Local Church Leadership Skills and Development

           Instructor:  Pastor John Lafferty, CLM   

      * Methodist Theology Through the Lens of John Wesley Sermons & Charles

           Wesley Hymns - Instructor– Rev. Mark Salvacion, J.D., M.Div. 

      * Navigating Change in Chaos: A Biblical Approach

           Instructor: Pastor David Piltz

      * A Practical Pathway to Cultural Competency -

           Instructors: Members of the EPA Cross Racial/Cross Cultural Team

           of Trainers Coordinator: Rev. Beverly Andrews.  

      * Prayer for Our Times – Instructor: Rev. Monica Guepet

      * Servant Leadership – Instructor: Joseph Skarbowski

      * Speaking 1 - Preaching to be Heard - Instructor Rev. Harold Burkett

      * Speaking 2 - Preaching by the Numbers - Instructor Rev. Dr. Lloyd Speer

      * Vital Ministries of Mercy and Justice - Instructor: Deaconness Barbara Drake​​

     To view the catalog description of these courses click the following link:

                           2025 Laity Academy Catalog

     Register online by clicking the following link:  

                 August 2025 Laity Academy Registration Now Open 

      Address questions to the Dean of the Laity Academy: 

              Brenda Binns    Email: bbinns1@msn.com   Text: 570-617-1342

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• September 8 & 10 & September 15 &17 - The Annual Healing Communities Training with GNJ Leadership Academy will be held on zoom. The training dates are Monday and Wednesday in two consecutive weeks (September 8 & 10 & September 15 &17) from 7-9pm each night with two hours of out-of-class homework students complete prior to assigned classes for the class discussions on each night. Attendees who successfully complete the two week course will receive 10 hours of Leadership credit. For more information contact  Linda Van Til. 

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 ​Advanced Training on-line

• In  addition to in-person courses, there are numerous on-line courses that can be taken for CSM credit. (See "Seasonal Opportunities below.) These courses include BeADisiciple.com Some as well as on-line credit courses such as Basic Sexual Ethics; Dismantling Racism, Emotional Intelligence and Diversity.  To receive credit for on-line experiences a CSM request for credit form must be completed and submitted no later than 30 days after completion of the course.   (Download Request for Credit Form in PDF).

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Advanced Training on-line via BeADisciple.com

BeADisciple.com – hosts online advanced courses. The courses on their website identified with the “learning and leading” logo are approved by Discipleship Ministries (formerly the General Board of Discipleship) and meet the continuing education requirements for renewal of Christ Servant Minister (one advanced course every 3 years), Certified Lay Speaker (one advanced course every 3 years), or Certified Lay Minister (one advanced course every 2 years). Although they have other approved courses designated on their website as "Lay Servant Ministries", the following are several upcoming courses…​