Convention Workbook
Convention Workbook
Convention Workbook
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Lay Ministry Training in the Pacific Southwest<br />
District (PSD) began in 1992 at one location<br />
in San Diego with three students. The initial<br />
purpose was to train men and women to assist<br />
and serve their pastor and congregation to<br />
carry out the Great Commission. This<br />
purpose remains the same today. During the<br />
past 20 years the program expanded to a high<br />
of 17 site locations with over 2700 people<br />
taking the courses offered. At present there<br />
are 140 deacons and 60 parish ministry<br />
assistants serving in various ministries within<br />
their congregations. This has been a blessing<br />
for the PSD in providing many deacons and<br />
parish ministry assistants to serve and assist in<br />
congregations using their talents in ministry<br />
for the Lord.<br />
Required courses to become a commissioned<br />
deacon or parish ministry assistant include<br />
Old Testament, New Testament, Christian<br />
Doctrine, Care-Giving, Leadership Skills,<br />
Church History and Polity from a Lutheran<br />
Perspective, Evangelism and Assimilation,<br />
Teaching the Faith, Lutheran Worship and<br />
Homiletics. Congregational members may also<br />
take the courses for their own personal<br />
enrichment. Many of our pastors, professors<br />
and teachers throughout the Pacific Southwest<br />
District have been instrumental and<br />
inspirational in proving instructional<br />
excellence over the years. Thanks to them for<br />
preparing the students in their training.<br />
At present online instruction is being<br />
evaluated as to what is best for Lay Ministry<br />
Training. The current site locations will be<br />
continued as they are with a few revisions.<br />
A Continuing Education Workshop for<br />
deacons and parish ministry assistants is<br />
offered each year in the fall. Excellent<br />
presenters provide another avenue for people<br />
attending to come together and receive<br />
training and gain knowledge beyond the<br />
required courses.<br />
LAY MINISTRY TRAINING<br />
The major goals for the next three years are to<br />
expand on providing excellence in all phases<br />
of the program, including communication to<br />
all congregations through the Lay Training<br />
newsletter Assisting and Serving, and greater<br />
promotion of Lay Training throughout the<br />
District. Also, plans are to market Specific Focus<br />
Courses training for congregational members<br />
who are involved in a specific area of ministry<br />
within their congregation such as serving in<br />
leadership roles, visitation, evangelism, Sunday<br />
School, Bible class teachers, care-giving, youth<br />
and possibly others.<br />
Lay Ministry Training is committed to enrich<br />
the program and equip lay people to assist<br />
their pastor(s) and congregation in carrying<br />
out the Great Commission as others are<br />
connected to Jesus their Savior.<br />
Duane J. Rohmaller, Director<br />
101
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