School of Ministry
Lay Leadership is a training program in leadership development. This program assists lay leaders in focusing on their particular ministry interest to better serve within the local church. This program is a more intensive program with emphasis on spiritual discipline, planning, strategizing, research and development.
You do not have to be a member of the Odenton Church of God to participate in the Lay Leadership course. However, in order to serve in any capacity in the church, members are required to enroll and successfully complete various levels of the training program.
Within the course, laity collaborate with other lay leaders to share knowledge concerning ministry interest, challenges and concerns. The class is taught by our seasoned staff and leaders who have trained extensively in the doctrine and biblical principles of the Church of God.
Lay Leadership
Lay leaders study materials that cover their ministry interest in great depth. This program continues to emphasize the responsibility of the laity who are working in ministry to continue the legacy of servant leadership as was demonstrated in Christ’s ministry on earth and is at work today in the local church.
The first level of training is Lay Leadership One. It is a two part program that spans over a ten month period. The first five months cover LLD Level One Part One. The next five months covers LLD Level One Part Two. The second level of training is Lay Leadership Two. It is a two part program, just like Lay Leadership One, that spans over a ten-month period. The first five months cover LLD Level Two Part One. The next 5 months cover LLD Level Two Part Two.
Discussion/Participation: Participants are expected to attend classes on time each month. Participants half an hour late will be considered absent. Participants with one absence are excused. Participants with two absences must attend one make-up class. Participants with three or more absences will have to retake the program. Participants are required to read the text and be active participants in the sessions.
The textbooks for Lay Leadership II are assigned based on the lay leaders’ choice of ministry focus. Each month consists of: assigned reading from the text (on occasion articles for additional reading will be provided), Discussion/Participation and personal reflections about the reading.
Teen Lay Leadership
This program is an introduction into leadership development in the local church for the teenage laymen. This program includes a study of leadership skills, spiritual discipline and understanding how Jesus modeled servant leadership in his ministry. This program emphasizes the responsibility of the laity who are working in ministry to continue the legacy of servant leadership as was demonstrated in Christ’s ministry on earth and continued today in the local church.
Certificate of Ministerial Studies
The Certificate In Ministerial Studies (CIMS) consists of 20 courses, offering 35 credits. 34 credits are required for the CIMS certificate. While CIMS is open to anyone, the program was designed for ministers who hold Church of God credentials or who have been set forth for ministry by a local church.
Small Groups Bible Studies
Odenton Church of God also offers Small Group Bible Studies to its members in order to train and equip individuals in the Word of God.