The Parish Lay Mission 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 trained lay leadership in congregations or other ministries of this synod.
Join in this renewed venture of personal growth and preparation for Lutheran Christians in leadership and service!
Explore our two different tracks with multiple options for growth in service in your home congregation or in personal, spiritual growth.
To Apply
Applications are due no later than 10 (ten) days before the beginning of a new term.
Click here to download a current registration form.
First-time student? Download the initial application here.
To request more information, contact the Interim Dean of the Parish Lay Mission Academy here:
Frank J. Swehosky, PLM, PhD
Day: 817.782.9632
Cell: 817.247.8947
NTNL Parish Lay Minister 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 Mission Area.
The following are some examples of leadership functions in mission and ministry programs for which the bishop of the NT-NL Mission Area may authorize trained individuals.
- Congregational Leadership
- Local Mission Planning
- Worship Planning and Leadership
- Nurturing Faith Community
- Church Administration
- Youth Ministry
- Christian Education
- Preaching
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 - Christian Education:
How to Read the Bible
How to Teach
then either Children’s and Youth Ministry OR
a choice of Old Testament or New Testament - Preaching:
Preaching
Worship
How to Read the Bible
Congregation as System - Leadership Skills:
Leadership Styles
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
The Process
The names of people interested in the program and who demonstrate spiritual maturity and leadership skills can be submitted by congregations, pastors, synod / mission area staff, or by the individuals themselves. Nominees will be contacted, asked to submit an application, to provide endorsement by their pastor and congregation, and satisfactorily to complete the required courses.
Supervision and Accountability
Supervision and Accountability will primarily be a direct responsibility of the congregation’s pastor and / or Church Council. The NTNL 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. All classes will be held at Briarwood Retreat Center, 680 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX 76226.
Fall 2017 (Sep. 16, Oct. 21, and Nov. 18)
Spring 2018 (Mar. 17, Apr. 21, and May 19)
Fall 2018 (Sep. 15, Oct. 20, and Nov. 17)
Course Descriptions and Required Texts
** Please note: Students are expected to acquire their own textbooks. **
Click on the course title below to find out more. (Some of these syllabi are from previous semesters and will be updated when we have the next course scheduled.)
- How to Read the Bible
- Old Testament
- New Testament / Nuevo Testamento
- How to Teach / Cómo Enseñar
- Children and Youth Ministries
- Worship
- Preaching
- Spiritual Care
- Leadership Styles
- Congregation as System
- Leadership Lab
- Stewardship
Book acquisition is an important part of course preparation. Books can be acquired in a number of ways.
- Order from half.com
- Order from Amazon.com
- Share books with another student or a previous attendee
- Find books at a local used bookstore or a full-price establishment
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.
Cost
Tuition for the full PLM student per semester/term is $225 for the meetings, instruction, and meals.
**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 and meals.
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 Mission Academy for more information prior to registration.