The Harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.    Luke 10:2

 

What is a Lay Leader?

The lay leader is an absolutely crucial person in the life of the congregation.

The local church lay leader is elected by the charge conference to be the primary lay representative of the laity in the congregation.

A former district superintendent friend referred to the lay leader as the "president of the congregation." By definition, the lay leader is chair of nothing, member of everything. He or she is the pastor's partner in ministry and a good communicator who knows the congregation and is known by the congregation.

The lay leader understands the community and its needs, is a change agent, "oil on troubled waters," and a problem solver.

The lay leader is a member of the charge conference and church council, the finance committee, the pastor-parish committee, the committee on lay leadership, and, quite possibly, other groups. The lay leader and lay member of annual conference share a number of committee memberships and should be working closely together.

What does the Lay Leader Do?

Local Church Lay Leader:

• Fosters awareness of the role of laity in ministry in the congregation, home, workplace, community, and world; he or she must be an advocate for the laity and ministry of the laity; observe Laity Sunday;
• Is an advocate for Jesus; it is important to be an effective, living witness inside and outside the congregation;
• Meets regularly with the pastor to discuss the state-of-the-church and needs for ministry; some of these could be lunch or dinner meetings.
• Is a friend and confidante to the pastor, and a pastor to the pastor as the need arises; a communicator from congregation to pastor and pastor to congregation;
• Is continually involved in learning about the church and community and, at the same time, developing learning opportunities for the congregation, to the end that the church grows in fulfilling its mission;
• Continues his or her development as a leader and finds opportunities for congregational learning; it is recommended that the lay leader be a certified lay speaker;
• Is an advisor to the church council regarding opportunities for ministry by the laity in the church and community;
• Knows and is known by the congregation; it is important to meet all new members and to serve as liturgist occasionally in order to be recognized by all the laity.
• Is the ombudsman in the congregation — the "go to" person; a problem solver and a healer;
• Practices "MBWA" (ministry-by-walking-around); learns what members are thinking and what their dreams and wishes are for the church and for their own lives; is a listener;
• Is a visionary, a planner, a change agent; it is highly desirable for each congregation to sense where it is heading, and the lay leader should be a part of this visioning process;
• Pays attention to what's going on; understands current reality and how it affects vision;
• Is an advocate for inclusiveness — of minority persons, persons with handicapping conditions, youth, and older adults;
• Maintains a relationship with the district lay leader.

LAY SPEAKING MINISTRIES

"Lay Speakers with a passion for evangelism and a tender heart for God's
people can revitalize our Church."
Bishop G. Lindsey Davis

Leading, Caring, Communicating is the motto for lay speakers in the United Methodist Church. It is a specifically designed program to enhance the gifts of the lay speakers as they, in their ministries in the church, continue to look for avenues to educate themselves. The General Board of Discipleship provides class materials and programs and teachers to teach the lay speakers how to confidently perform, teach, and train other laity to be better in their areas of ministry.

In the early-formative years of Methodism, the lay speakers were used in the pulpits due to the absence of clergy - but as Methodism spread, clergy grew in numbers and the laity began to be used in other areas to assist the clergy. The three large categories of ministries are:
 

There are two groups of Lay Speakers:

1. Local Church Lay Speaker 

Anyone who is interested in lay speaking must first apply in writing (form furnished by pastor) to their pastor. The Book of Discipline states the candidate as one who is already active in the support of his/her charge. The form is then passed on to the District Director who will contact the applicant and inform them of the class schedule for training. Any approved applicant must take the Lay Speaking Basic Course and upon completion of 10 hours of class, will -receive their certificate of recognition. The lay speaker must file an annual report and reapplication with their pastor/charge conference to keep their status on record with their church, their district and their conference.

2. The Certified Lay Speaker

The Certified Lay Speaker has completed a basic course and must take an advanced course to be a Certified Lay Speaker. The Certified Lay Speaker must also file an annual report with the pastor/charge conference, be accepted and confirmed in order to continue their certification.

Application

Today, most of our lay speakers are involved in Disciple Bible Study, Stephen's Ministries, have taken the Walk to Emmaus, and are leaders within the church as well as working in the community.

The Lay Speaking Ministries is not about teaching public speaking per se, it is not about replacing pastors in the pulpit, it is not about status-seeking. It is designed to sustain and support those in the church who are willing to initiate ministries, and be a willing servant. The lay speaker should be willing to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. Call your pastor and ask about Lay Speaking Ministries!

For more information on Lay Speaking Ministries go to  www.layspeaking.org

All Lay Speakers must turn in a Lay Speaking Annual Report at the Charge Conference or to the Administrative Counsel for approval of continuance of certification.  They will, upon approval, be entered into the District Database and the Conference Database.

Failure to report annually will cause loss of certification.