Lay Servant Ministry
Lay Servant Ministry is a leadership development program in the United Methodist Church focused on equipping and empowering lay persons who have responded to the call of God to serve in mission and ministry.
These lay persons are called to live out their own discipleship as servants in leadership through the ministries of leading, caring and communication.
The UMC has established three categories for laypersons in the area of lay servant ministries to develop, prepare and engage principled Christian leaders for the mission of making disciples for the transformation of the world.
- Certified Lay Servant
- Certified Lay Speaker
- Certified Lay Minister
Certified Lay Servants who wish to develop their skills further may chose a track to become Certified as Lay Speakers (those who are called specifically to pulpit supply) or as Certified Lay Ministers (those who are called to long-term, intentional ministry as part of a ministry team.
A Certified Lay Servant serves the local congregation or charge and:
- Provides program leadership, assistance, and support to the pastor.
- Leads meetings for prayer, training, study, and discussion.
- Plans, conducts or assists in leading services of worship, preaches the Word, or gives addresses.
- Provides congregational and community leadership and fosters caring ministries.
- Assists in the distribution of the elements of Holy Communion
- Teaches the Scriptures, doctrine, organization, and ministries of the United Methodist Church.
A Certified Lay Speaker serves by preaching the Word when requested by the pastor, district superintendent or committee on Lay Servant Ministries in accordance and compliance with Para 341.1 of the Book of Discipline. The role of a Certified Lay Speaker is a specific calling for the ministry of pulpit supply in congregations other than their own.
Being called to ministry is a serious endeavor. It takes a disciple to make a disciple. Thus, we must do all we can to prepare ourselves and others to serve. For additional information on the Lay Servant Ministry program in our District please email the District’s Lay Servant Director, Eddie Courtney at msged@earhtlink.net. Please include the words Lay Servant Ministries in your subject line.
Basic and Advanced Classes for this Spring (late April, early May) will be announced soon
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