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United Theological Seminary

Four courses offered in April, July, September and December. Now registering!

DAYTON, Ohio, April 20, 2023 — The Bishop Bruce Ough Innovation Center at United Theological Seminary, Dayton, OH, and the Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR) Laity Advocacy Committee have partnered to introduce the 2023 Laity Leadership Institution.

Designed specifically for lay people, the BMCR Laity Leadership Institution features four online courses to help equip laity for powerful local church ministry with impact. Each course focuses on an area of leadership that will help lay leaders with servant hearts deepen their understanding of God’s call in their lives, learn new leadership skills for ministry, and bring renewal to their churches and communities.

The 2023 Laity Leadership Institution begins on April 29 with a course on discovering your spiritual gifts led by Dr. Yvette Richards, chair of the BMCR Laity Advocacy Committee and a graduate of United Theological Seminary. Other courses will be taught by Rev. Sharon Williams and Judge Jon R. Gray (retired).

Dr. Richards sees God at work in the collaboration between the BMCR Laity Advocacy Committee and the Innovation Center. “United understands the importance of laity leadership and provides the space to achieve the mission of BMCR’s laity advocacy,” she says. “We have been welcomed and uplifted by Rev. Sue Nilson Kibbey [director of the Innovation Center], who is passionate regarding individuals’ opportunities to learn. We are blessed to come together in the work of building confidence and relationships between clergy and laity.”

Registration is open for all four online courses, to be held in April, July, September and December. Learn more and register at innovateunited.com/bmcrlaity.