Lay Servant Ministries – The Pacific Northwest Conference of The United Methodist Church

Tag: Lay Servant Ministries

Lay Servant Ministries Foundations (Basic) Course

Written by Laura Velonza on March 3, 2026.

This is a foundational course designed to equip church leaders in the United Methodist Church. It explores: personal spiritual gifts, servant leadership, each leader’s role in developing future leaders, the importance of consistent spiritual practices, “God’s call to a life of servanthood” as a disciple of Jesus Christ, and the core ministries of Leading, Caring, and Communicating.

CLASS DATES: May 5, 12, 18, 26, & June 2 from 6:30-8:30 pm (PST) on Zoom

*COST: Cost of the Book- $13.00 “Lay Servant Ministries: The Basic Course,” Participant’s Book by Sandy Zeigler Jackson and Brian Jackson • DR626 • 978-0-88177-626-3 Available at Cokesbury and Upper Room. Ebooks are also available.

INSTRUCTOR: Sheila Miranda, PNW Lay Servant Ministries. Any questions about this class or Lay Servant Ministries in the PNW Annual Conference should be directed to Sheila Miranda, smiranda@pnwumc.org

Class is limited to 16 participants. Registration closes April 28th, or until class fills.

Register at: Lay Servant Ministries Foundations (Basic) Course-May 2026

Lay Servant Ministries Advanced Course “For The Common Good”

Written by Laura Velonza on November 25, 2025.

A five-week class on discovering and using your spiritual gifts, led by Rev. Dr. Desi Larson. This class is worth 1 CEU and counts toward either Lay Servant or Lay Speaker Certification. It is also a prerequisite for Certified Lay Minister Modules.

This course helps participants understand spiritual gifts and how the church can use them to fulfill its mission and ministry. Participants will also learn what it means to be a spiritual leader and
will be equipped to lead others in exploring and using their spiritual gifts.

The Rev. Dr. Desi Larson is a member of the Oregon-Idaho Conference and currently serves as Pastor of Trinity UMC in Sequim, WA. Prior to moving to the western US in 2016, Desi was a member of the New England Conference and served as a pastor at several churches in Maine. Desi holds a BA degree in English and Visual Arts from Waynesburg College in Pennsylvania and a Master of Divinity from Boston University in Massachusetts. Being a life-long learner, Pastor Desi also received an MS and a Ph.D. in Adult Education from Cornell University in New York.

DATES: Saturdays- January 17, 24, 31, & February 7

TIME: 9:00 -11:30 AM PST

WHERE: Zoom (Link is at the top of your registration confirmation)

FEE: the cost of the book — For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts by Christine Harman. ISBN 13: 9780881779585 $15.00 Available at Cokesbury & Upper Room

Participant Requirements: We highly recommend that you complete the Foundations (i.e., Basic) course first. Each participant must have a book,
read it before the first session, complete assignments, and be fully engaged in all four sessions, with audio and video capability active.

Register here by January 5, 2026. Contact Rev. Sheila Miranda at smiranda@pnwumc.org with questions or if you need assistance.