Taking a Leap of Faith Into Ministry, Take One

Do you know someone who might have a Call to Ministry and needs help taking a leap of faith?

For some of us, deciding to go into ministry feels like standing on a high dive platform and wondering if we want to jump. We have watched many others walk or run up to the edge and jump in the pool, but we cannot leap. We may have even gotten to the edge and counted one, two, and rather than say three and jump, we stopped, turned around, and went back down the ladder. Friends have encouraged, supported, and coaxed us, but in the end, we are not brave enough to leap off the high dive into the pool.

Some people feel the same way about taking the leap of faith into ministry. They have come so close to signing up for classes. They love teaching Sunday school and serving on the church board but don’t feel they can leap from the pew to the pulpit. As a result, they never feel prepared to serve.

The Academy for Small Membership Church Ministries has a course that will help those struggling to discover God’s call and build a foundation for ministry to take the leap of faith.

They will learn the basics of ministry, from preaching to leading worship, from understanding the theology of salvation to the how and why of baptism and communion, evangelism to mission, and Christian education to personal growth.

At the end of ten months, they will have a foundation that will help them know if it is time to take the leap of faith and say yes to God’s call to ministry.

The program is all online, with a group meeting monthly via Zoom. Participants will read and study, reflect with others and develop friendships and colleagues for life. In addition, they will be guided, mentored, and supported on the journey by instructors who have helped many others take the leap of faith into ministry.

Do you feel called or know someone you think is called? Dive in and make a splash! We invite you to journey with us starting in August. Learn more about the program on the Foundations for Ministry page on The Academy's website and apply online. If you have questions, please feel free to call me at 785-445-2595.

Peace & Grace,

Rev. Dr. Carl K. Ellis