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Adopted Legislation at 2016 General Conference.  The following chart gives definitions of CERTIFIED LAY SERVANT, CERTIFIED LAY SPEAKER and CERTIFIED LAY MINISTER.  In addition, requirements for certification and renewal.  

CERTIFIED LAY SERVANT
CERTIFIED LAY SPEAKER
CERTIFIED LAY MINISTER

Serves the local church or charge (and/or beyond) and:

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  • Provides program leadership, assistance and support

  • Leads meetings for prayer, training, study, and discussion

  • Conducts, or assists in conducting, 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

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Serves by preaching the Word when requested by the pastor, district superintendent, or committee on Lay Servant Ministries, in accordance and compliance with paragraph 341.1.

As part of a ministry team with supervision and support of a clergyperson:

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  • Conducts public worship

  • Cares for the congregation

  • Develops new faith communities

  • Preaches the Word

  • Leads small groups

  • Establishes outreach ministries

  • Serves as a class leader

  • Engages in specialized ministries after appropriate training such as in parish nursing and church planting

  • Assists in program leadership

REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION
REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION
REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION

  • Pastor and church council or charge conference recommendation

  • Lay Servant Ministries BASIC course

  • Lay Servant Ministries ADVANCED course

  • District committee on Lay Servant Ministries, or equivalent structure (see paragraph 668.3) approval

  • Certified as a lay servant (or equivalent as defined by his or her central conference)

  • Pastor and church council or charge conference recommendation

  • Completion of a track of study as defined in paragraph 267.3.c.

  • Conference committee on Lay Servant Ministries approval after interview with and recommendation from the district committee on Lay Servant Ministries

  • Certified as lay servant, lay missioner (or equivalent as defined by his or her central conference)

  • Pastor and church council or charge conference recommendation

  • Completion of a track of study as defined in paragraph 268

  • District Superintendent recommendation

  • Appropriate screening & assessment

  • Conference committee on Lay Servant Ministreis approval after intereview with and recommendation from district committee on Ordained Ministry

REQUIREMENTS FOR RENEWAL
REQUIREMENTS FOR RENEWAL
REQUIREMENTS FOR RENEWAL

  • Annual report & renewal application

  • Pastor and church council or charge conference recommendation

  • Lay Servant Ministries advanced course in the last three years

  • District committee on Lay Servant Ministries, or eqivilent structure (See paragraph 668.3) approval

  • Annual report & renewal application

  • Pastor and church council or charge conference recommendation

  • Lay Servant Ministries advanced course int he last three years

  • Conference committee on Lay Servant Ministries approval every three years after interview with and recommendation from the district committee on Lay Servant Ministreis

  • Annual report

  • Pastor and church council or charge conference recommendation

  • Ministry review

  • Lay Servant Ministries advanced course or approved continuing education event annually

  • District Superintendent recommendation

  • Conference committee on Lay Servant Ministries approval every two years after interview with and recommendation from district committee on Ordained Ministry.

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