The synod’s Lay Ministry Training Program gives lay leaders the tools and support they need to fill in when congregations are without a pastor or deacon.
The Northeastern Iowa Synod has joined the Western Iowa Synod, Southeastern Iowa Synod and South-Central Synod of Wisconsin to develop a Lay Ministry Training Program to teach lay members how to lead worship, preach, make home visits, and do other basic pastoral ministry when their congregation does not have an ordained minister.
LAY MINISTERS ARE EQUIPPED TO SERVE
An average of 30 congregations in the Northeastern Iowa Synod have been without pastors in the past year. Many of these congregations rely on supply pastors, but when none are available, congregation members step up to preach and lead worship. Lay ministry training will give these lay leaders deeper knowledge in the Bible and theology, and equip them with the skills and confidence to preach and lead worship.
The lay minister may serve while a congregation seeks a new pastor or fill in when their pastor is on vacation or sabbatical. Lay ministers can also assist pastors with home visits or pastors who oversee multiple congregations.
TWO LAYERS OF TRAINING
The program includes two layers of training, which the students take simultaneously through an online Lutheran lay school two Saturdays a month. Enrollees will meet monthly with a mentor and will gather in person for hands-on training at an annual retreat.
Participants who complete both layers will become Certified Lay Assisting Ministers (CLAM). Some lay ministers who complete the training may be approved to serve as Synod Authorized Ministers (SAM) in specific circumstances, which means they can preside over the sacraments of communion and baptism.
ARE YOU CALLED TO LEAD?
We need your help to identify people to participate in the two-year Lay Ministry Training program, which will begin a new year of training in September 2025. Please consider this opportunity for yourself or share about it with someone who you think would be a great candidate for lay ministry training and ask them to pray about this opportunity.
JOIN THE 2025 FALL COHORT
Interested people can apply for the 2025 cohort beginning in June. The application process starts with a questionnaire, along with congregational and clergy references. In addition, the Northeastern Iowa Synod office requires an interview with the applicant and the congregation council to determine eligibility. Costs may be shared between the synod, the student and the congregation.
Questions can be emailed to Pastor Kristen Corr Rod or call the synod office at 319-352-1414.
“I encourage you to pray and reflect on how God is calling you to participate in this movement.” ―Bishop Kevin Jones
YOUR GIFT CAN SUPPORT LAY MINISTRY TRIANING
The Northeastern Iowa Synod initiated a fund-raising campaign in 2023 to help start the new Lay Ministry Training Program and defray the costs for the formation instruction, retreats and mentoring portions of the program.
With your help, lay ministry training will ensure that lay leaders are:
- equipped with skills to preach and lead worship.
- surrounded with the support of teachers, mentors and classmates.
- affirmed through a vetting process.
Donations to support lay ministry training can be made online with the link below, or checks can be mailed to: Northeastern Iowa Synod, 201 20th St. SW, PO Box 804, Waverly IA 50677-0804. Please indicate “Lay Ministry” on the check’s memo line and make the check out to: Northeastern Iowa Synod.
