October 11, 2004
By Kathy Noble

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Basic training in the United Methodist Church's welcoming and television ministry will become accessible to nearly every congregation with the launch of a new online course.

The course, "Igniting Ministry 101," begins Oct. 11 and will continue through mid-November. It is being offered by United Methodist Communications, which manages the Igniting Ministry program.

"We have heard the desire of leaders in local churches for easy access to the training and hospitality skills offered through Igniting Ministry workshops," said the Rev. Larry Hollon, top staff executive of United Methodist Communications. "We are delighted to be able to respond to this request by offering this online course to congregations in areas where they have not been able to get the face-to-face training. In addition, the course is a reasonably priced option for smaller congregations."

The registration fee is $12 per student, and enrollment is open at http://www.training.umcom.org/.

As enrollees work through the course's four modules at their own pace, they will:

. Understand the motivation and research behind the national television advertising.

. Explore the importance of developing a welcoming lifestyle in their lives and their church.

. Begin creating an action plan to build a culture of welcoming as the congregation invites the community into the church.

Students will be able to ask questions and discuss the material as they work. Emily Reece, the Igniting Ministry training manager at United Methodist Communications, and the Rev. Danette Howell, pastor of Rector Memorial United Methodist Church in San Antonio, will coordinate the discussion.

The course will also allow churches with trained Igniting Ministry leaders to expand their team.

Igniting Ministry began in 2001 as a four-year effort, funded by the denomination's top legislative assembly. Last spring, General Conference approved another $25 million for the program and renewed it for four more years.

United Methodist News Service
Kathy Noble is editor of Interpreter magazine at United Methodist Communications in Nashville, Tenn.