What is a Lay Speaker

Fundamental Aspects of a Lay Speaker Caring - Communicating - Leading ... Using our God-given gifts in ministy, mission, and leadership

The Methodist Movement in America began as Lay Ministry.
Over one-half of the voting members at Annual conference and one-half of the members of General Conference are laity.
The laity are the arms, hands, legs, and feet of the local church.
Lay Speakers are everyday people who want to use their God-given gifts, their educational and vocational skills to actively live out their call to ministry and mission.

What is a Lay Speaker:

2004 Book of Discipline ¶ 267

1. A lay speaker (local church or certified) is a professing member of a local church or charge

who is ready and desirous to serve the Church and
who is well informed on and committed to the Scriptures and the doctrine, heritage, organization, and life of The United Methodist Church and
who has received specific training to develop skills in witnessing to the Christian faith through spoken communication, church and community leadership, and care-giving ministries.
An applicant must be active in the support of the local church or charge.

2. Lay speakers are to serve the local church or charge (or beyond the local church or charge) in any way in which their witness or leadership and service inspires the laity to deeper commitment to Christ and more effective discipleship, including the interpretation of the Scriptures, doctrine, organization, and ministries of the church.

3. Through continued study and training a lay speaker should prepare to undertake one or more of the following functions, giving primary attention to service within the local church or charge.
    a) To take initiative in giving leadership, assistance, and support to the program emphases of the church.
    b) To lead meetings for prayer, training, study, and discussion when requested by the pastor, district superintendent, or committee on lay speaking.
    c) To conduct, or assist in conducting, services of worship, and present sermons and addresses when requested by the pastor, district superintendent, or committee on lay speaking.
    d) To relate to appropriate committees and ministry areas in providing leadership for congregational and community life and fostering care-giving ministries.

4. Lay speaker training courses shall be those recommended by the General Board of Discipleship or alternates approved by the conference committee on lay speaking. Such training should enable ministries with all language and cultural groups as appropriate.

5. It is recommended that a service of commitment be held for persons recognized as local church or certified lay speakers.

Local Church Lay Speaker:

2004 Book of Discipline ¶ 268

1. A candidate may be recognized as a local church lay speaker by the district or conference committee on lay speaking after the candidate has:

a) Made application in writing to the appropriate committee and has been recommended by the pastor and the church council or the charge conference of the local church in which membership is held. The district superintendent shall be responsible for reporting the names of applicants to the appropriate committee.
b) Completed the basic course for lay speaking.

2. The local church lay speaker shall serve the local church in which membership is held by witness of the spoken word, vital leadership service, and care-giving ministry (See ¶ 267.3).

3. To maintain status, a report and reapplication with recommendations must be submitted annually and a refresher course approved by the Conference Committee on Lay Speaking Ministries must be completed once in every three years.

Certified Lay Speaker:

2004 Book of Discipline ¶ 269

. A candidate may be recognized as a certified lay speaker by the district or conference committee on Lay Speaking Ministries after the candidate has:
    a) Made application in writing to the appropriate committee and has been recommended by the pastor and the church council or the charge conference of the local church in which he or she holds membership.
    b) Completed both basic and one advanced training courses for lay speaking.
    c) Had his or her qualifications reviewed and approved by the appropriate committee (See ¶ 259.2 f [9]).

2. The certified lay speaker shall continue to serve the local church in the witness of the spoken word, vital leadership service, and care-giving ministry (See ¶ 267.1). In addition, the certified lay speaker may serve in the district and conference and in local churches other than the local church in which membership is held.

3. Recognition as a certified lay speaker shall be renewed annually by the district or conference committee on Lay Speaking Ministries after the certified lay speaker has:
    a) Requested in writing the renewal of certification.
    b) Submitted an annual report to the charge conference and the committee on Lay Speaking Ministries,     giving evidence of the satisfactory performance of lay speaking service.
    c) Been recommended for renewal by the pastor and the church council or charge conference.
    d) Completed at least once in every three years an advanced course for lay speakers.

How do I become a Basic Lay Speaker:

You can become a Lay Speaker by completing the District's authorized Basic Lay Ministry Course - which is designed to provide a variety of learning and practical use classes, grounding in scripture, as well as an opportunity to practice what you learn.

How do I maintain my status as a Lay Speaker:

Lay Speakers are to do an annual self-assessment and request re-certification at the annual church charge conference - using the conference "Lay Speaker Annual Report Form".

In addition, Lay Speakers are required by the BOD to attend at least one conference approved class/workshop every three years. Click here to go to the class page.

Who should be a Lay Speaker?

The BOD outlines some of the characteristics of a prospective Lay Speaker. How people grow in spiritual wisdom and express their spirituality, is entirely a personal manner. Some come into the Basic class highly motivated - others come in seeking. One observation is certain; most leave "changed" ... hungry and anxious to serve the Lord in pleasing ways.

Many pastors, district and conference leaders were encouraged, motivated, and supported to go into ministry after participating in the Certified Lay Speaker Ministry program.

May teenagers become lay speakers? - YES! YES! YES!

we have many teenagers, who have not only completed the course, they also have contributed by sharing their point of view and how they will apply their gifts and training among their peers. These are your future church leaders.

We encourage teenagers to participate and share their interests about ministry, mission, worship, and more!