NT-NL Parish Lay Minister (PLM) Program
For a general overview of the program click here.
The Parish Lay Minister candidate completes a two year program in Bible, Preaching and teaching, and Congregational Care and Leadership. 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.
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
Congregation as System
Pastoral Care
Prayer and Spirituality - Preaching
Preaching
Worship
How to Read the Bible - Leadership Skills
Lutheran Identity
Leadership Lab
Stewardship - Community Care
Congregation as System
Worship
Prayer and Spirituality - Choose Your Own Adventure
How to Read the Bible
and two other courses
To Apply
Registration for Fall 2025 is now closed.
* For other types of payment or for partial payments, go to: https://tithe.ly/give?c=1183611. Select PLMA in the dropdown menu. In the Note / memo field, please include your scenario: Initial Tuition Payment / Final Tuition Payment / Scholarship Payment / Student Payment (if on Scholarship).
Cost
Tuition for the full PLM student per semester/term is $225. Your congregation may be willing to help with the cost.
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.
**Please note: Students are expected to acquire their own textbooks.**
A limited number of partial scholarships are available, as determined on an individual need basis. Persons interested should fill out the online application and 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 English and in Spanish.
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/
Course Descriptions
Spring 2 – 2026 (March 14, April 11 and May 9)
- How to Read the Bible
- Understanding Congregations Functioning as Emotional Systems
- Lutheran Identity
Spring 1 – 2027 (Dates likely to be second Saturday in March, April and May)
Fall 2 – 2027 (Dates likely to be second Saturday in September, October and November)
- Preaching
- Pastoral Care
- Youth Ministry (JH/HS)
- Children’s Ministry (Children’s Ministry Online Resources)
- Adult Ministry
Fall 1 – 2026 (Dates likely to be second Saturday in September, October and November)
Required Texts
Book acquisition is an important part of course preparation. Books can be acquired in a number of ways.
- Order from hpb.com, augsburgfortress.org or amazon.com
- Share books with another student or a previous attendee
- Find books at a local used bookstore or a full-price establishment
Semester specific book lists will be sent upon course registration.
Graduation
PLMA graduation is held annually in January. It is asked that the graduates have a white robe (a gift from their congregation) to wear. The next graduation is scheduled for February 1, 2025.