LAPI Certificate in Compelling Preaching

Thank you for your interest in applying for the LAPI Class of 2026. Before you apply, please carefully review the program’s requirements on the LAPI web pages https://www.gnjumc.org/leadership-academy/lapi or https://www.epaumc.org/lapi
Note that this program is for those who preach on a regular basis.

Disclaimer: This is an application not a registration.

The estimated time commitment for the program February through November is approximately 2 hours per week.  However, the LAPI certificate program requires 5-8 hours per week during the three weeks prior to the Opening Summit (March 6 & 7, 2026).

This program is mostly funded through a grant, so participants incur few costs (see below*). It is not a remedial course; rather, it is designed for preachers at any stage in their journey who are looking to enhance their preaching and take it to the next level.

LAPI includes the following components:

• An in-person preaching summit (1.5 days in person in March 6 & 7, 2026).
• Cohorts of 10 preachers, each, with a facilitator/coach (2 hours per month via Zoom)
• Individual coaching and instruction (Zoom or in-person)
• Self-paced online classes offered through the Leadership Academy
• Creating and using a listener feedback group in your preaching context
• One visit and consultation with a preaching mentor at your preaching context
• Approximately two hours each week, and 5-8 hours per week during the three weeks prior to the Opening Summit (March 6 & 7, 2026)

The estimated weekly time commitment for participating in this 10-month program is approximately two hours each week . Participants are expected to commit to this time as a requirement for entry into the program. Please confirm that you commit to this time requirement. If you cannot commit to full participation in the program for the next calendar year, please consider applying again next year.

By completing the application you understand and commit to the required two hours/week on average that it will take to complete the Preaching Institute.

Those accepted to a LAPI Fellowship are expected to commit to this time as a requirement for entry.  If you cannot commit to full participation in the program for the 2026 calendar year, please consider applying for 2027.

*  The LAPI program is a 10-month certificate program with multiple activities (February through November). As a grant-funded program, there is a minimal ($75) cost to participants. The actual cost of the program, subsidized by the grant, is $4500 per participant.”

The program is not remedial; it is designed for preachers at whatever level who want to improve their preaching to their perceived “next” level.

The deadline to submit applications for the LAPI Class of 2026 is August 31, 2025, 11:59 pm.

All Class of 2026 applicants will be notified of their status no later than September 30, 2025.

APPLY HERE