Adult Ministries
Looking to grow in faith, connect with others, and make a difference in our community? Our Adult Ministries at Pendleton Center offer a welcoming community where you can deepen your relationship with Christ and engage in meaningful fellowship.
Bible Studies
Bible Study Groups at Pendleton Center UMC are a place to explore God’s Word, deepen your faith, and discover how Scripture connects with everyday life. Whether you’re opening the Bible for the first time or have been studying it for years, there’s a place for you to learn and grow alongside others.
Our Bible studies meet at different times and in a variety of settings throughout the week. Some explore a particular book of the Bible, while others focus on a topic, curriculum, or video series. Each group offers opportunities for meaningful conversation, thoughtful questions, and learning together.
You don’t need to know all the answers or be a Bible expert to join. Questions are welcome, and everyone is encouraged to participate in whatever way feels comfortable - whether that means joining the conversation or simply listening and learning.
Come as you are, bring your questions, and grow with us.
Fellowship Groups
Adult Fellowship Groups are a great way to connect with others, grow in your faith, and build meaningful friendships. Groups meet throughout the week in a variety of settings, including the church, homes, and other places around the community.
Each group is different. Some focus on Bible study and faith, while others are centered more around fellowship and conversation, and others on service.
United Methodist Certified Lay Ministry
Do you ever feel like God is calling you to serve? To be a leader within the church, but not to be a pastor? There are three different categories of Lay Ministry within the United Methodist Church. But keep in mind that the first step for all Laity is to become a Certified Lay Servant. You cannot become a Certified Lay Speaker or Certified Lay Minister until you have served as a Certified Lay Servant.
That being the case, the first category in Lay Ministry is Certified Lay Servant. A Certified Lay Servant serves the local church or charge (and/or beyond) and:
Provides program leadership, assistance, and support
Leads meetings for prayer, training, study, and discussion
Conducts, or assists in conducting, services of worship, preaches the Word, or gives addresses
Provides congregational and community leadership and fosters caring ministries
Assists in the distribution of the elements of Holy Communion
The next category is Certified Lay Speaker. A Certified Lay Speaker is someone who feels called to preach, but not called to serve as a pastor. A Certified Lay Speaker serves by preaching the Word when requested by a pastor, district superintendent, or committee on Lay Servant Ministries, in accordance and compliance with ¶341.1 in the Book of Discipline. They provide what is called “Pulpit Supply.” They fill in for pastors who are going on vacation and need someone to fill in leading worship.
And the final category is Certified Lay Minister. A Certified Lay Minister (CLM) is a qualified United Methodist layperson called to congregational leadership as part of a ministry team under the supervision of a clergy person, but who often serves the church in many other ways.
Not all CLMs are called to preach and should not feel that if they don’t have that calling, they cannot be a CLM. There are many ways a CLM can serve their church.
A Certified Lay Minister:
Conducts public worship
Cares for the congregation
Develops new faith communities
Preaches the Word
Leads small groups
Establishes outreach ministries
Serves as a class leader
Engages in specialized ministries after appropriate training, such as in parish nursing and church planting
Teaches the Scriptures, doctrine, organization, and ministries of The United Methodist Church.
Pendleton Center Church has many trained Certified Lay Ministers! If you are interested in learning more, talk with one of our pastors or Linda Barczykowski to explore the process. And be sure to check out Chuck’s rattling’s on Certified Lay Ministry!