The Church of God Division of Education has an excellent program called Lay Leadership Development. This 12-month program assists the local church pastor to mentor and train his leaders. Each step is laid out to ease the burden of busy pastors, and nearly all of the work is done by the lay leaders.
Each leader will receive specialized training in one of ten ministry areas: cell group ministry, children’s ministry, Christian education, counseling, evangelism, music, stewardship, teaching, women’s ministry, youth ministry.
Every person who completes the entire Lay Leadership Development will receive four beautiful certificates to signify completion of the four phases of this excellent training program. Additionally, the Lay Minister Certification, to be awarded at the discretion of the pastor and signed by the administrative bishop, can be awarded; this certificate signifies the Church of God’s authorization and the local church’s approval to perform Christian ministry.
Pastor Milton Herring (Somerset, PA) states:
“The Lay Leadership Development program has done wonders in my church! I am pleasantly surprised by the excellent results. We began with a group of four couples, and then started the second group of four couples. New, there are 15 people in the program, and we are planning a third set of four couples. The church has considered paying the costs of participation for these key leaders, since the entire church sees the great benefits of LLD.
Many of these participants have been long-time leaders in the church, and yet testify of the great amount of new learning and development that they have experienced. I have used these leaders in services, and have seen their abilities grow and have seen their Christian lives mature since they began LLD. Their testimonies are unfailingly positive concerning LLD.
One of the participants did have a negative attitude before the program started, but participated anyway, at the request of the spouse. By the first seminar, this person was bubbling. By the third seminar, this person was the most excited leader in the group.
One couple was experiencing a terrible situation in their extended family, and I expected them to withdraw from the program. Instead, they remained in the program, and have credited the program with giving them the strength to bear the situation. They have not missed a church service, nor have they failed to minister when given the opportunity.
Lay Leadership Development will benefit you (the pastor), the church, and the Kingdom. It is just a great thing for any church to enjoy.”
For further information:
Visit www.COGDOE.org (click on the LLD button)
Call 877-344-0488
E-mail tgoff@churchofgod.org