The Oklahoma UMC Lay Ministry classes invite you to grow deeper in faith, develop your gifts, and gain the confidence to serve both your church and community. If you’re ready for a deeper understanding of your Methodist beliefs, check out these trainings! Whether you feel called to lead, teach, care, or simply learn more, these classes offer practical tools, spiritual grounding, and a supportive community to help you say “yes” to God’s call. Take the next step in your discipleship—your growth can make a lasting difference.
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Lay Servant Classes
Schedule subject to change
Basic Lay Course (1 Day)
Saturday, January 31, 2026
@ Beggs UMC
9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Don’t miss this opportunity to grow and serve! Registration
Basic Lay Course (8 Week)
Lost Creek UMC
8002 S Washington St.
Stillwater, OK 74074
Sunday afternoons 4:00-5:15 PM starting February 1st -March 29th.
This is the Basic Course needed before any advanced courses are taken.
Leading UMC Worship
Saturday, Feburary 28th
9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Central District
Location Coming Soon
Come and get equipped for worship leadership!
Discover how to craft meaningful worship service—from choosing music and Scripture to choosing responsive readings that bring worship to life. This hands-on class will inspire and prepare you to lead with confidence and it fulfills the Worship requirement for Lay Speaker Certification.
Living Our Methodist Beliefs
Saturday, March 7th 9am-5pm
Barnard Memorial UMC
300 E 8th St
Holdenville, OK 74848
What do United Methodists believe? Who are we and why do we do the things we do? Join the class to discover the answers. Heritage is led by two of our most knowledgeable dynamic leaders Rev. Valerie Jones Steele and Rev. Dr. Sonja Tobey.
This class fulfills the Heritage requirement for Lay Speaker Certification. Registration
Method to Our Mission
Saturday, March 14th
9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
West District
Location Coming Soon
Come discover how the Book of Discipline shapes who we are and how we live out our mission as Methodists. Far from dry or dull, this engaging class brings the heart of our connection to life—revealing the guidance, purpose, and shared values that help our churches thrive. You might be surprised how meaningful (and interesting!) it really is. This class fulfills the Polity requirement for Lay Speaker Certification.
Rev. Dr. John Breon and Kristen Harlin
Shaping the Prayers of the People
Saturday, April 11th
9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Northeast District
Location Coming Soon
This class will help you rediscover intercessory prayer as a vital, creative, and pastoral act of worship. The book explores how to listen deeply—to God, Scripture, and the community—and then give voice to those needs through thoughtful, theologically grounded prayer. This class fulfills the Prayer requirement for Lay Speaker Certification.
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Shaping the Prayers of the People
Saturday, April 18th
9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Southeast District
Location Coming Soon
This class explores spiritual gifts as God’s gracious invitation for every believer to participate in the life and mission of the church. This class invites participants to discover, develop, and joyfully use their gifts—not for personal recognition, but for the common good of the church and community. This class fulfills the Spiritual Gifts requirement for Lay Speaker Certification.
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From the Pew to the Pulpit
Saturday, April 25th
9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
North Central District
Location Coming Soon
This class guides laity in discovering and embracing their call to preach and lead worship. It also encourages participants to move with confidence from listening in the pew to sharing God’s Word with clarity, purpose, and faithfulness from the pulpit. This class fulfills the Preaching requirement for Lay Speaker Certification.
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