You Were Made to Lead
Let Us Equip You
The newly redesigned School of Lay Ministry equips everyday disciples with the Bible, theology, ministry skills, and community engagement tools to lead with confidence.
Three Educational Tracks One Formational Journey
Bible and Theology Practical Ministry Church in the World
You love your congregation. But you often feel under-equipped.
Maybe you’ve been leading Bible study for years—but wonder if you’re doing it right. Or you sense your community needs more than charity, but you’re not sure how to move toward justice. Or you’re showing up faithfully in public life, but your faith and your work feel disconnected.
You shouldn’t have to figure it out alone. Lay leaders deserve real formation—not just encouragement to try harder.
Three Tracks
Every semester weaves together all three dimensions of faithful lay leadership.
Bible and Theology
Root your leadership in Scripture. Understand the whole story of God’s Love. You will also engage in Lutheran theology—law, gospel, vocation, sacraments—so your faith is articulate, deep, and alive.
Practical Ministry
Lead worship, preach, offer congregational care, run Bible studies, learn about conflict management and build healthy congregational systems.
Church in the world
Move from charity to justice, engage neighbors, care for creation, and communicate your congregation’s public witness.
Simple. Faithful. Doable.
Here’s how your journey through SLM works.
The School of Lay Ministry is designed to help you grow step by step—not by throwing you into leadership and hoping you figure it out, but by walking with you as you learn, practice, reflect, and grow.
Your journey begins with a community of learners. You’ll gather with other lay leaders from across the synod who are asking similar questions, carrying similar hopes, and seeking to serve their congregations more faithfully.
Along the way, you’ll be formed through Bible, theology, worship, practical ministry skills, and public witness. You’ll learn how Scripture shapes leadership, how Lutheran theology gives language to faith, and how ministry becomes more than helping out—it becomes a way of living your baptismal calling.
You won’t just receive information. You’ll engage in conversation, ask honest questions, practice real ministry skills, and discover how your gifts can serve your congregation and community.
By the end of the journey, you won’t have all the answers. None of us do. But you will have deeper confidence, stronger tools, a clearer sense of call, and a community that reminds you: you do not lead alone.
APPLY
Fill out an application form and indicate what track you are intersted in attending. We’ll reach out to discuss fit, cohort placement, and logistics.
Attend Sessions
Join a 90-minute Zoom session each month with your cohort — grounded in prayer, learning, and practice.
Graduate Equipped
Complete a capstone project your congregation can actually use, and walk away as a more confident leader
Apply Today
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Imagine Leading With This Confidence
By the time you complete SLM, here’s what you’ll be able to do that you can’t do today:
Lead worship and preach with a clear Lutheran voice with grace and hope.
Offer care that listens well, prays faithfully, and refers wisely.
Teach the Bible in a way that opens it up for everyday people.
Move your congregation from charity toward justice.
Partner with community organizations and interfaith neighbors from a grounded center.
Communicate your congregation’s story online and in public with clarity and courage.
Your Questions, Answered
Who is this program for?
SLM is for adult lay leaders in ELCA congregations in the New England Synod—and want deeper formation: deeper roots, broader skills, and a more confident voice.
How much time does it take each month?
Plan for 6–8 hours per month: a 90-minute Zoom session, a 30–60 minute cohort check-ins, and time for reading and processing what you experience.
Is this in person or online?
Sessions are held via Zoom, making this accessible to leaders across New England regardless of location. There are two in person retreats that are required to attend. There are also other learning opportunities throughout the year which are in person and online and optional.
Does it cost anything?
Tuition information will be shared during the application process. The New England Synod is committed to making SLM accessible. Scholarships and congregational sponsorships may be available.
Do I need to start from the beginning?
If you’ve already completed previous SLM coursework, we’ll work with you on placement. New students entering Fall 2026 begin with the new three-track model.
What if I miss a session?
Life happens. Sessions are recorded, and you can submit a brief make-up reflection within 7 days. We want you to succeed, not to add stress.
Your congregation needs the leader God made you to be.
Don’t wait another year wondering if you’re equipped enough. Apply now. Formation starts this fall.
