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All rights reserved. California-Pacific Conference, 2024.

Lay Leadership

What is Lay Ministry?

Through baptism, each of us is called to serve in ministry. Sometimes, this call is to ordained leadership in and through the local and denominational church. More often, however, this call is to a particular service of administrating, teaching, caring, visioning, visiting, cooking, playing, counseling, knitting, camping, praying, welcoming… the list is endless.

The scriptures tell us that each one of us is vital to the health and functioning of the Body of Christ, which means that whatever our call might be, the Church needs all of us to offer our gifts for the message of hope and grace to take root and flourish.

The United Methodist Church has established three categories for laypersons in the area of lay servant ministries to develop, prepare, and engage principled Christian leaders for the mission of making disciples for the transformation of the world.

Certified Lay Servant

A Certified Lay Servant serves the local church or charge (and/or beyond) in many ways as listed in the brochure.

Certified Lay Servants may further develop their skills further on the tracks of “Certified Lay Speaker” and “Certified Lay Minister.”

Certified Lay Speaker

A Certified Lay Speaker serves by preaching the Word when requested by the pastor, district superintendent, or committee.

Certified Lay Minister

A Certified Lay Minister serves as part of a ministry team with the supervision and support of a clergyperson. Learn more >>

See brochure about becoming certified Servant, Speaker, or Minister

DOWNLOAD BROCHURE

CLASSES

Basic Classes

The Basic Class is an in-person class and must be completed by everyone pursuing Lay Servant Ministries.

One can attend the in-person classes in any location.

Refer to the requirements on the brochure for each type of ministry before signing up for a class.

Advanced Classes

Classes are offered in-person and online. One can attend the in-person classes in any location.  They are broken out by area below for ease of locating classes nearest you.

Certified Lay Ministries (CLM) Classes

A Certified Lay Minister serves as part of a ministry team with the supervision and support of a clergyperson. Learn more >>

THE LATEST

RESOURCES

See brochure about becoming a Certified Lay Servant, Certified Lay Speaker, or Certified Lay Minister:

DOWNLOAD BROCHURE

Rev. Garth Gilliam
Conference Director, Lay Servant Ministries
818.429.8843 | garthgilliam@gmail.com

East District:
  • Khanh Doan
    East District Director, Lay Servant Ministries
    951.214.3151 | iamkdoan@gmail.com
Hawaiʻi District:
  • Winifred Ching
    Hawaiʻi District Director, Lay Servant Ministries
    808.692.6638 | wingin322@yahoo.com
North District:
  • Rev. Kalesita Tu’ifua
    North District Director, Lay Servant Ministries
    818.284.3495 | kutuifua@yahoo.com
South District:
  • Melissa Basch
    South District Director, Lay Servant Ministries
    619.246.7702 | mbasch@cox.net
West District:
  • Caydene Monk
    West District Co-Director, Lay Servant Ministries
    213.358.1835 | caydenerr@gmail.com
  • Pastor Royce Porter
    West District Co-Director, Lay Servant Ministries
    310.977.2349 | porter.royce@gmail.com
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