The Parish Lay Ministry Academy (PLMA) is a program of the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana (NT-NL) Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) for the purpose of preparing and training lay leadership in congregations or other ministries across the Church. Join in this renewed venture of personal growth and preparation for Lutheran Christians in leadership and service. Explore our two different tracks, offered in English and Spanish, with multiple options for growth in service in your home congregation or in personal, spiritual growth.
NT-NL Parish Lay Minister (PLM) Program
The Parish Lay Minister candidate completes a two year program in Bible, Congregational Leadership, and Care. Specific courses are listed under “Course Descriptions.” In addition, each student will also fulfill a parish-based Contextual Project under the supervision of the local pastor or Church Council with assistance from a PLM Academy Facilitator.
Completion of all the offered courses of this two year program and the project leads to recognition as a Parish Lay Minister of the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod.
The following are some examples of leadership functions in mission and ministry programs for which the bishop of the NT-NL Synod may authorize trained individuals.
- Congregational Leadership
- Local Mission Planning
- Worship Planning and Leadership
- Nurturing Faith Community
- Church Administration
- Youth Ministry
- Pastoral Care
- Preaching
To Apply
Applications are due no later than 1 month before the beginning of a new term.
New student: Please complete this application online, then you will also need to register below.
All students: Click here to register online. Returning students must register for the semester they are attending 14 days before the semester starts
Contextual Project
The PLM Academy program requires students desiring to be certified Parish Lay Ministers must complete a Contextual Project during the second year of study. The project provides the PLM Candidate with a congregational experience like what they might expect to undertake once they are certified and usually takes place in their home congregation.
A Supervisor from the congregation, usually the Pastor, will work with and monitor the student as they complete their project. The PLMA Dean must approve an alternative site or a non-Pastor Supervisor.
Academy Certificates
Attend the academy in pursuit of a certificate that can prepare you for targeted leadership within a congregation. Students should sign up for the certificate track by taking courses alongside PLM candidates. The six certificates and their included courses currently offered are:
- Bible Skills:
How to Read the Bible
Old Testament
New Testament - Pastoral Care
- Preaching:
Preaching
Worship
How to Read the Bible
Congregation as System - Leadership Skills:
Lutheran Identity
Congregation as System
Leadership Lab
Stewardship - Community Care:
Congregation as System
Worship
Spiritual Care - Choose Your Own Adventure:
How to Read the Bible
and three other courses
Cost
Tuition for the full PLM student per semester/term is $225.
**Please note: Students are expected to acquire their own textbooks.**
Students should pay at least $110 of the tuition by the first class meeting.
Certificate Students pay $75 per course taken. This fee covers a single course.
A limited number of partial scholarships are available, as determined on an individual need basis. Persons interested should contact the Dean of the Parish Lay Ministry Academy for more information prior to registration.
Supervision and Accountability
Supervision and Accountability will primarily be a direct responsibility of the congregation’s pastor and / or Church Council. The NT-NL Bishop has final responsibility for approval and certification of each Parish Lay Minister applicant. Local congregations will determine how best to use the gifts and preparations of those who complete certificates.
Schedule
This two year program will consist of four (4) semesters. Each semester will include three (3) courses, each course meeting three (3) times each semester. Each Saturday begins at 9:00am with worship and concludes at approximately 3:30pm. Each course will be taught in Spanish and English.
Individuals may enroll at the beginning of any semester to complete the full two-year program. English classes will be held online, and Spanish classes will be held at various congregations.
Dates for each semester can be found on the synod calendar: https://www.ntnl.org/events/
Fall 1
Spring 1
Fall 2
- Preaching
- Pastoral Care
- Youth Ministry (JH/HS) led by Pr. Adam Stockton (Rejoice, Frisco)
- Children’s Ministry led by Greta DeWitt (Advent, Arlington)
- Family Ministry led by Janelle Miller
Spring 2
Required Texts
** Please note: Students are expected to acquire their own textbooks. **
Book acquisition is an important part of course preparation. Books can be acquired in a number of ways.
- Order from half.com
- Share books with another student or a previous attendee
- Find books at a local used bookstore or a full-price establishment
Graduation
PLMA graduation is held in January. It is asked that the graduates have a white robe (a gift from their congregation) to wear.
To request more information, contact the Dean of the Parish Lay Ministry Academy here:
Madeline Richard