BY LINDA WORTHINGTON
UMCONNECTION STAFF 
Bishop Schol |
United Methodists should attract people to Christ and disciple them on their Christian journey, Bishop John R. Schol told the students at the March 7 opening of the School of Christian Growth at First UMC in Hyattsville. 'Attracting and Discipling' was the theme for this year's training event, which attracted more than 210 registrants, said Sue Conway, the registrar. 'John Wesley said it took three things to be effective leaders,' the bishop said: fire, faith and fruits. Fire as a sense of calling from God, passion and understanding; a Christ-centered faith that builds character; and fruits, something growing from the seeds you've planted. 'I went home feeling touched by the Holy Spirit, inspired by being with other Christians, hearing the messages given and eager to begin reading material for my class next week,' said Becky Armstrong, outreach chairperson at Ager Road UMC. The Washington-Columbia District training program is one of several taught in most districts of the conference in the spring or fall. The classes teach and equip church leaders, ranging from high school students to seasoned seniors. The Washington-Columbia District school offered 16 classes covering the discipleship journey, from 'The Necessary Tools for a Radical Journey,' to classes that explore discipling in the streets, worship, covenant discipleship, prayer, the growing church, evangelism and stewardship. Some districts limit their Christian education and training courses to those who are pursuing lay speaking ministry. Both Frederick and Washington West districts offer training for lay speakers, with certification in either basic or advanced lay speaking. The Rev. Rudolph Bropleh will be the instructor at the Frederick District school, which will be held at Asbury UMC in Shepherdstown, W. Va., four Tuesdays starting April 5. Four lay speaking courses will be taught at Epworth UMC in Gaithersburg in the Washington West District, for six Mondays, starting April 4. In addition to the two basic courses, the district will offer a 'Lay Speaking for Youth' class and a refresher course for those whose certification needs to be renewed, as is required every three years. This will be the last time that Larry Talley is director of the program in Washington West. He's stepping down, following the advice that he teaches his students: No one should be in a leadership position more than five years. 'Lay Speaking Ministries training helps people develop leadership, communication and caring skills, skills that equip laity to minister in the congregation and in the world,' said George Fauth, Annapolis District past director of lay speaking ministries. Perhaps that is why so many of the district schools focus on this particular kind of leadership training. South Arundel County lay speaking training began March 28 at Mt. Zion UMC in Lothian, and will run Monday evenings through May 2. The classes in North Arundel County start Wednesday, April 6, and run until May 11, at St. Mark UMC in Hanover. Baltimore-Harford District's courses include several classes in spiritual discipline, evangelism, discipleship, worship, community service and preaching in addition to basic lay speaking. Non-lay speakers may take any of the classes. The sessions run for two or two-and-one-half hours for four or five weeks, and meet at several of the district churches: Christ, Centennial-Caroline Street, Ames, Havre de Grace, Piney Grove and Cherry Hill UMCs. The Rev. George Lambros leads an evening class on basic lay speaking at his church, Piney Grove UMC, for five weeks, having started March 31. The same course is offered by Leonard D. Wheeler at Ames UMC in the mornings for four weeks, which started April 2. Wheeler, who is director of the Baltimore-Harford District school, also teaches 'Spiritual Discipline'during evenings at Christ UMC, which began March 31. In the Baltimore North District, both basic and advanced lay speaking courses as well as other continuing education courses are offered throughout the year, usually on Saturdays or weekends, said the Rev. Mary Worrel, director. The classes include subjects that are part of the lay speaking curriculum, such as the United Methodist Social Principles or Biblical Interpretation. The Baltimore West District offers six courses: making disciples, leading small groups, staff-parish relations, evangelism and stewardship, led by conference staff and district pastors, plus both basic and advanced lay speaking courses. In his class on 'Intentional Disciple Making,' the Rev. Roderick J. Miller will focus on his experience and life-long interest in the discipleship journey. The Revs. Charles Parker and Vivian McCarthy, both on the Baltimore-Washington Conference staff, will teach classes in their respective areas, 'Joyous Stewardship' and 'Faithful Future,' a class on working with small groups. The Rev. Horace Wallace, author of a student's book for 'Touched by Grace,' and adjunct professor at Wesley Theological Seminary, will teach a class on 'Black Methodist Heritage in the United Methodist Church.' The classes will take place at Bethany UMC in Ellicott City on Thursday evenings beginning April 7. 'Leadership is crucial in the church,' Bishop Schol said. 'Jesus is our role model for leadership. You need to hear the call, be equipped and sent out.' | 
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