Stretched and challenged and grew

Jason Frye

I really enjoyed the class setting. It was a safe environment [and] I appreciate the fact that we were encouraged to learn from one another. I was stretched and challenged and grew because of it. I feel I am more myself than I have ever been.

Jason Frye, Foundations for Ministry

Defining my call

Jane Whitehead

During this course I was able to define my call and develop a spiritual resume.

I learned that when I was initially called by God to do something He had for me to do, I reacted like Moses. I could give God countless reasons why I couldn’t do whatever He was calling me to do.

As time passed, I moved from the Moses call to the Abraham call. I had finally reached a place in my journey where I stopped fighting God and told Him I would go wherever He wanted me to go and do whatever He wanted me to do.

Jane Whitehead, Discovering Your Call to Ministry

Learning for all

Jim Miller

Everyone in church leadership should take this course.

You can teach old dogs new tricks. Age should not be a barrier for learning and serving.

Jim Miller, Discovering Your Call to Ministry

Wholeheartedly recommend this class

Mark Ingelin

I am a preacher’s kid, and have been in the United Methodist church for over 60 years. Despite this experience, this course has been invaluable to me, not just for preparing me to fill a small membership church need, but rounding out my Christian education in general, and my Methodist upbringing as well.

For me this class has established a bible study routine, encouraged me to use new bible references and other relevant texts and disciplined my thinking. I would wholeheartedly recommend this class to any United Methodist lay person.

Mark Ingelin, Foundations for Ministry

Stretching my spiritual muscles

Marcia Peddicord

This course has caused me to stretch my spiritual muscles to complete the assignments. It was a challenge sometimes and I spent A LOT of time praying. But it merely "whet my appetite" for the next phase of the training. I can't wait to get started.

Marcia Peddicord, Discovering Your Call to Ministry

Gifts, call, and interaction

It was exciting for me to find that my gifts matched my calling. I was also surprised to learn the strength of some of those gifts.

Dr. Ellis was very involved in the course and very helpful, beyond what I would normally expect. I liked the small size of the class. It made interaction with everyone deeper and easier.

Toni Lucas, Discovering Your Call to Ministry

I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to go through The Academy

Janene Reynolds

As the lay pastor of 3 small churches in rural Nebraska, I perform all the duties of leading my churches in worship and caring for the congregations. I absolutely love what I do with the people here, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the classes and support of The Academy for Small Membership Church Ministries.  

Leaving home to attend classes was not an option for me. Through The Academy, I was able to complete the courses I needed online to learn how to lead small groups, bible study, and worship, including corporate and personal prayer.

Not only did I learn from the teachers and leaders, I also learned many valuable lessons from the people in my cohort. We were able to work together and comment on each other’s experiences. 

I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to go through The Academy for Small Membership Church Ministries and would certainly recommend it for anyone who feels God calling them to leadership in the church. 

Janene Reynolds, Foundations for Ministry