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

• ​July 31 -August 1, 2026 - Laity Academy - Introduction to Christ Servant Ministry - an in-person Introduction to Christ Servant Ministry will be held on the campus of Eastern University in St. Davids.   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.  For more information contact either Instructor, Judy Ehninger or the Laity Academy Dean, Brenda Binns. To register click on this link. 

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• November 7, 2026 - South District Mini Academy - Introduction to Christ Servant Ministry - an in-person Introduction to Christ Servant Ministry will be held at Hopewell UMC.   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.  For more information contact either Instructor, Judy Ehninger or South District CSM Director, Sheri Kentner.  Registration link will open in August.

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

• ​July 31 -August 1, 2026- Laity Academy  - The 42nd EPAUMC Laity Academy will be held on July 31 and August 1 on the campus 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 11 classes, most approved for either  CSM or CLM credit. The advanced courses to be offered in person at this year's Laity Academy include...

* Speaking 1 - Preaching to be Heard

* Speaking 2 - Preaching by the Numbers

* Methodist Theology – Through the Lens of John Wesley's Sermons and      

        Charles Wesley's Hymns 

* Let's Talk About It - (Re)Discovering the Lost Art of Communication

* Cultural Competency

* Mission, Ministry & Funding for the Local Church

* From Calling to Leading: Practical Skills for Church Leaders

* Christian Peer Mentoring

* What to Say when People are Hurting

* Forgiveness: A Biblical Perspective​

     Register online by clicking the following link:  

                 August 2026 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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• November 7, 2026 - South District Mini Academy -

Finding Your Voice: Essentials of Preaching  - an in-person Advanced CSM course in Speaking taught by Rev. Amy Banka.  A pre-requisite for this course is Speaking 1.  The course is designed to help you discover and develop your unique voice as a preacher.  Everything from self-awareness and understanding your audience to mastering different types of sermons and effective communication techniques will be discussed. The Saturday classroom time and 2 hours of pre-seminar preparation/assignment will be combined to make up the required 10 hours for the advanced course credit.  The pre-class preparation/assignment will be emailed once you have registered.  

 

Leadership Lessons from a Reluctant Prophet - an in-person Advanced CSM course in Leadership taught by Rev. Steve Morton.   This course will be a step-by-step investigation of The Book of Jonah, exploring its significant theological themes and its intentional, homiletical function - yet with a specific eye toward cultivating our own Best Practices in leadership as revealed to us in this Jewish "hero.".  The pre-class preparation/assignment will be emailed once you have registered.  

 

Finishing Strong: Nurturing Our Aging Congregations  - an in-person Advanced CSM course in Caring taught by Margie Krut, CSM and Celeste Schiller, CSM This course will encourage you to appreciate the gifts and contributions of older persons, no matter what stage of life they are in. It will help you to recognize the physical, spiritual, and social needs of these members so that your church can be more effective in older adult ministry and continue to benefit from the faith and wisdom of these individuals. There is also significant attention to the role of Christian faith in helping us to finish strong, no matter what age we are, when God calls us home. The pre-class preparation/assignment will be emailed once you have registered.

   

For more information on the South District Mini Academy contact South District CSM Director, Sheri Kentner. Registration link will open in August.

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• Over the upcoming months, there will be 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).