Developing and equipping lay leaders of the church is God’s key to changing the world. It’s what we long for—the Holy Spirit on the move in our churches, bringing revitalization, hope and justice wherever we go. God-honoring worship that engages the whole person is the ground on which we stand together in Christ. (Thomas Bandy, Coaching Change, p. 142) The key to moving from adding to multiplying, though, is providing opportunities for Jesus to grow and form the people who stand with us in ministry. Paul writes, “[Jesus Christ] handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christians in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.”(Ephesians 4:11–13, The Message) Of course, the church is gifted with many more spiritual gifts than just this list (see Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 for example), but these particular gifts are “equipping gifts,” developers and multipliers of all the other spiritual gifts.

The National Association of Congregational Christian Churches would like to help you and your fellowship develop and leverage God’s equipping gifts, using the revitalized Lay Ministry Training Program. This program helps congregational leaders develop

·        deeper knowledge of the Bible,

·        stronger understanding and sense of God in their lives,

·        clearer vision of how God designed the church to grow, and

·        how to care for and inspire God’s people.

And that’s just in the first year! We have two more years—three levels—of development available. Imagine your key leaders growing in their faith and in their understanding of their giftedness in Jesus Christ! Isn’t it breath-taking?

One of the great aspects is that we have a “cohort” model, so students move through the program together, providing support and encouragement. We also have multiple mentors involved in the program, to encourage lay ministry students in their studies and faith journey.

Is it expensive? Just $1000 for a 10-month level. Does it take time? Roughly 10 hours a week for study, class-time, and discussion.

Why talk about this now? Registration for the next cohort of the LMTP opens in January, which means now is the perfect time to look around your fellowship

·        to identify the people who could become an even greater blessing through lay ministry training,

·      to present the idea of lay ministry to your Deacons, Trustees and other leadership, to see where it begins to take root, and

·        to set aside resources for the coming year to financially support lay ministry in your congregation

We have a truly remarkable program going, now starting our second cohort, and before you know it, next spring will be here, and we will be forming the next cohort. By God’s grace, may it include motivated leaders from your fellowship.

For more information and to register, head to the NACCC’s website.