Do you ever feel like God is calling you to serve? To be a leader within the church, but not to be a pastor? There are three different categories of Lay Ministry within the United Methodist Church. But keep in mind that the first step for all Laity is to become a Certified Lay Servant. You cannot become a Certified Lay Speaker or Certified Lay Minister until you have served as a Certified Lay Servant.
That being the case, the first category in Lay Ministry is Certified Lay Servant. A Certified Lay Servant serves the local church or charge (and/or beyond) and:
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Provides program leadership, assistance, and support
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Leads meetings for prayer, training, study, and discussion
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Conducts, or assists in conducting, services of worship, preaches the Word, or gives addresses
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Provides congregational and community leadership and fosters caring ministries
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Assists in the distribution of the elements of Holy Communion
The next category is Certified Lay Speaker. A Certified Lay Speaker is someone who feels called to preach, but not called to serve as a pastor. A Certified Lay Speaker serves by preaching the Word when requested by a pastor, district superintendent, or committee on Lay Servant Ministries, in accordance and compliance with ¶341.1 in the Book of Discipline. They provide what is called “Pulpit Supply.” They fill in for pastors who are going on vacation and need someone to fill in leading worship.
And the final category is Certified Lay Minister. A Certified Lay Minister (CLM) is a qualified United Methodist layperson called to congregational leadership as part of a ministry team under the supervision of a clergy person, but who often serves the church in many other ways.
Not all CLMs are called to preach and should not feel that if they don’t have that calling, they cannot be a CLM. There are many ways a CLM can serve their church.
A Certified Lay Minister:
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Conducts public worship
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Cares for the congregation
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Develops new faith communities
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Preaches the Word
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Leads small groups
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Establishes outreach ministries
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Serves as a class leader
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Engages in specialized ministries after appropriate training, such as in parish nursing and church planting
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Teaches the Scriptures, doctrine, organization, and ministries of The United Methodist Church.
Pendleton Center Church has many trained Certified Lay Ministers! If you are interested in learning more, talk with one of our pastors or Linda Barczykowski to explore the process. And be sure to check out Chuck’s rattling’s on Certified Lay Ministry!