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.  
NOTE: the three weeks prior to the Opening Summit, the LAPI certificate program requires 5-8 hours per week.

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 February or March)
  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
Approximately two hours each week, and 5-8 hours per week during the three weeks prior to the Opening Summit (March 6 & 7, 2026)

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