Lay Servant Ministries
A Lay Servant is an active, supportive member of a United Methodist congregation who is eager to be in ministry through the church. He/she is well-informed on scripture, doctrine, heritage, organization and life of the United Methodist Church and is committed to witnessing through church and community leadership, care giving ministries and spoken communication. A Lay Servant is willing to initiate ministry in partnership with clergy and other Lay Servants and willing to improve his/her skills for service.
There are two ways to be in ministry as a Lay Servant:
LOCAL CHURCH LAY SERVANTS serve in and through their local congregations. To be recognized as a Local Church Lay Servant, persons must be recommended by their senior pastor and by the local Church Council/Board and complete the Basic Lay Servant course. To remain a Local Church Lay Servant, persons submit an annual report to their Charge Conference detailing the results of their ministry and continued study and growth. Every three years, Lay Servants are required to complete a Renewal Course in the Ministries of Lay Servant published by the General Board of Discipleship.
CERTIFIED LAY SERVANTS serve in their own congregations, in other churches, through District and Conference projects and programs and in the community beyond the church. To become a Certified Lay Servant, persons must be recommended by their senior pastor and by their Church Council/Board, be a Local Church Lay Servant in good standing and complete an approved Advanced Lay Servant Ministry course. To remain a Certified Lay Servant, persons submit an annual report to their Charge Conference detailing the results of their ministry and own continued study and growth. Certified Lay Servants are required to complete an approved Advanced Lay Servant Ministry course at least every three years.
Lay Servant Ministries are organized into three broad functional areas:
CARING...A cornerstone of the Lay Servant Ministry is caring for others. Lay Servants provide many forms of pastoral care with persons in crisis; the homeless, those in hospitals or shut in at home, those who are grieving, those who just want someone to listen to them. Lay Servants are found visiting new or prospective members, working in prisons, helping with food or clothing banks and assisting with disaster relief. Lay Servants witness by acting out God's love wherever people in need are found.
LEADING...Lay Servants are often called upon to provide leadership in both formal and informal situations in their parish and communities. They are found organizing groups for projects, chairing committees, conducting studies or gathering information to help set direction for an organization. Many Lay Servants serve in elected roles in all aspects of their community life as well in church settings. Lay Servants witness by taking the responsibility to make a difference and by empowering others to serve.
COMMUNICATING...Lay Servants proclaim God's love through the spoken word. They are found leading Bible studies and worship events, speaking to groups in the church and community, filling pulpits when needed and serving as advocates for those in need. Lay Servants witness by telling how God's Holy Spirit is working in and through their lives, with the belief that God will use them to help heal this broken world. The 2012 General Conference of The United Methodist Church has created a special designation within Lay Servant Ministries for those persons gifted and trained in the ministry of preaching. Persons seeking recognition as a Certified Lay Speaker must complete the basic course and five specific advanced courses and have endorsement from their Charge Conference and District.
There are two ways to be in ministry as a Lay Servant:
LOCAL CHURCH LAY SERVANTS serve in and through their local congregations. To be recognized as a Local Church Lay Servant, persons must be recommended by their senior pastor and by the local Church Council/Board and complete the Basic Lay Servant course. To remain a Local Church Lay Servant, persons submit an annual report to their Charge Conference detailing the results of their ministry and continued study and growth. Every three years, Lay Servants are required to complete a Renewal Course in the Ministries of Lay Servant published by the General Board of Discipleship.
CERTIFIED LAY SERVANTS serve in their own congregations, in other churches, through District and Conference projects and programs and in the community beyond the church. To become a Certified Lay Servant, persons must be recommended by their senior pastor and by their Church Council/Board, be a Local Church Lay Servant in good standing and complete an approved Advanced Lay Servant Ministry course. To remain a Certified Lay Servant, persons submit an annual report to their Charge Conference detailing the results of their ministry and own continued study and growth. Certified Lay Servants are required to complete an approved Advanced Lay Servant Ministry course at least every three years.
Lay Servant Ministries are organized into three broad functional areas:
CARING...A cornerstone of the Lay Servant Ministry is caring for others. Lay Servants provide many forms of pastoral care with persons in crisis; the homeless, those in hospitals or shut in at home, those who are grieving, those who just want someone to listen to them. Lay Servants are found visiting new or prospective members, working in prisons, helping with food or clothing banks and assisting with disaster relief. Lay Servants witness by acting out God's love wherever people in need are found.
LEADING...Lay Servants are often called upon to provide leadership in both formal and informal situations in their parish and communities. They are found organizing groups for projects, chairing committees, conducting studies or gathering information to help set direction for an organization. Many Lay Servants serve in elected roles in all aspects of their community life as well in church settings. Lay Servants witness by taking the responsibility to make a difference and by empowering others to serve.
COMMUNICATING...Lay Servants proclaim God's love through the spoken word. They are found leading Bible studies and worship events, speaking to groups in the church and community, filling pulpits when needed and serving as advocates for those in need. Lay Servants witness by telling how God's Holy Spirit is working in and through their lives, with the belief that God will use them to help heal this broken world. The 2012 General Conference of The United Methodist Church has created a special designation within Lay Servant Ministries for those persons gifted and trained in the ministry of preaching. Persons seeking recognition as a Certified Lay Speaker must complete the basic course and five specific advanced courses and have endorsement from their Charge Conference and District.