Lay Education


On-Demand Classes

The Missouri Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church is excited to rollout Absorb, a new learning management system featuring asynchronous online learning opportunities.

Absorb is an on-demand learning platform that offers online courses on your timeline, at a pace that works for you. The goal of this learning platform is to support educational opportunities for those seeking lay certification as well as equip local church leaders on a variety of topics to support their work.

Learn more and sign up

In-Person or Online, Live Classes

Leading Worship and Public Prayer

Beginning: September 30, 2023
Location: Sikeston

Registration closes September 24.   About this Course This is a combined class, bringing together the experience of Leading Worship and Public Prayer with a deeper look at our own personal practice of prayer. Along with ...

Called to Preach

Beginning: September 30, 2023
Location: Sikeston

Registration closes on September 22. Called to Preach is designed for those who have not completed formal preaching training, for supply pastors seeking a basic refresher course, and for others who are exploring the ...

Biblical Interpretation

Beginning: September 30, 2023
Location: Sikeston

Registration closes September 22. About this Course This course introduces the basic principles of biblical interpretation. Together we’ll explore how the Bible came together, methods for interpreting scripture and ...

Spiritual Gifts

Beginning: September 30, 2023
Location: Independence

Registration closes September 24.   About this Course Spiritual gifts are sometimes considered mystifying, complicated, and hard to understand. Yet, learning about how God has uniquely equipped and gifted each of us is a...

Polity: ONLINE

Beginning: October 2, 2023
Location:

Registration closes September 26 or when 20 participants have registered. About this Course Have you ever wondered how this movement of Methodism started, how and why we do what we do and how we do it, at the local, ...

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: ONLINE

Beginning: October 18, 2023
Location:

Registration closes October 4. About this Course Emotionally Healthy Spirituality is based on the premise that emotional health and spiritual health are inseparable and that many of us get stuck spiritually because we ...

Christian Leadership and Visioning: ONLINE

Beginning: November 7, 2023
Location:

This is a course for all called to live out the mission of “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world" and explores the book Lay Servants as Christian Transformational Leaders. In addition to ...

Spiritual Gifts

Beginning: November 11, 2023
Location: Independence

Spiritual gifts are sometimes considered mystifying, complicated, and hard to understand. Yet, learning about how God has uniquely equipped and gifted each of us is a step towards understanding our calling as God’s ...

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