The certified lay minister serves to enhance the quality of ministry much like a class leader did in early Methodism through service in the local church, circuit or cooperative parish, or by expanding team ministry in other churches and charges. As with lay ministry in early Methodism, the certified lay minister uses his or her spiritual gifts as evidence of God’s grace” (The Book of Discipline, ¶268.2).
To Become a Certified Lay Speaker:
- Be a Certified as a Lay Servant.
- Courses (¶267.3.c) – all must be registered through the Cal-Pac Conference:
- LSM Basic Course
- LSM Leading Worship
- LSM Leading Prayer
- LSM Discovering Spiritual Gifts
- LSM Preaching
- LSM UM Heritage
- LSM UM Polity
- Pastor and Church Council or Charge Conference recommendation.
- Conference committee on Lay Servant Ministries approval after interview with and recommendation from the District Committee on Lay Servant Ministries. Reach out to your District Lay Servant Ministries Director listed in the contacts on this page.
To Renew Certification as a Lay Speaker:
- Courses – One Advanced Lay Servant Ministries Course in the United Methodist Church in the last 3 years that the Lay Speaker has not taken before either through the California-Pacific Conference or through BeADiciple.com.
- Annual report of Certified Lay Servant (which includes Lay Speaker) found in the Charge Conference Forms #14.
- Pastor and Church Council or Charge Conference recommendation.
- Conference committee on Lay Servant Ministries approval every 3 years after interview with and recommendation from the district committee on Lay Servant Ministries.