Lay Leaders Guidelines for Leading your Congregation 2013 The Alabama West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church

The Ministry of the Laity of the Alabama West Florida Conference

“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You are mine. When you are in over your head, I’ll be there with you.” Isaiah 43:1b & 2a The Message

CALLED TO A MINISTRY OF FAITHFULNESS AND VITALITY

LEADERSHIP IN VITAL MINISTRY  By virtue of your baptism  In and out of church  Your ministry is not just a “job”, but a spiritual endeavor and others will look to you for spiritual leadership.  Practice the Means of Grace  Help others grow to a mature faith in God that leads to making disciples of Jesus Christ.

Means of Grace  Prayer  Searching the Scriptures  Holy Communion  Fasting  Christian Conferencing  Worship  Devotions  Works of Piety and Mercy

ASSESSING YOUR EFFORTS WHAT DO I DO NOW? WHERE DO I START? WHAT DID I GET INTO?

O begin! Fix some part of every day for private exercises.. Whether you like it or no, read and pray daily. It is for your life; there is no other way: else you will be a trifler all your days.” John Wesley

What’s my job? Who is qualified for this job? What does a Lay Leader do? Where do I get help?

What’s my job? A Lay Leader represents lay people through collaboration with church staff and in meetings. This leader is a role model to others for Christian discipleship lived out in daily life.

Who is qualified for this job?  A Lay Leader understands that everyone has spiritual gifts and experience that are vital to the Body of Christ and uses their own gifts.  Be an example of one who “loves God and loves neighbor”  Good listener and communicates with all ages  Works well with clergy and laity  Understands the broad spectrum of the congregation.  Connects the church and community and world.  Be a professing member of the local church

What does the Lay Leader do?  Represents the lay people in the congregation  Role model of Christian discipleship  Models ways to connect Christian discipleship with daily life  Works with other church leaders to find ways to recognize the ministries of laity in worship, communication, and other areas of the life of the church.  Meets regularly with the pastor  May partner with the pastor in leading worship  Serves on many committees

Responsibilities of a Lay Leader  You are the primary lay representative of the laity in the local church  Encourages the role of the laity in mission and ministry  Meets regularly with the pastor  Member of the charge conference, church council and other committees  Continues to be involved in study and training opportunities  Advises the church council  Informs the laity of training opportunities

REPRESENTING THE LAITY  Primary advocate for and representative of the laity  Advocate for the clergy, respecting confidentiality  Must be a professing member of the congregation  Represents the congregation in the community and needs to be aware of the reputation of the church in the community and work to enhance and improve  Advocate needs of the community and inspire the congregation to go beyond the walls of the church

Modeling Discipleship Visibly model your discipleship, you must be an example to others  Personal devotion  Stewardship  Faith  Love  Compassion

Fostering the Role of the Laity You can build awareness of the role of the laity within the congregation by the example of your leadership. BE PRESENT  Attend meetings and support the leader of the meeting.  Attend worship services. If your church has multiple worship services, make sure that you attend each service regularly.  Attend community functions as a presence of the church  Encourage others to use their gifts in leading the ministry and mission of the church

Celebrate the Ministry of the Laity  Observe Laity Sunday (third Sunday in October)  Invite community groups such as fire fighters, teachers, police officers, etc. to worship with you and recognize their work as ministry  Recognize laity who have become Lay Speakers and announce training for all laity events  Prepare visual displays that celebrate the ministries of your congregation  Promote special opportunities for service and mission projects

Meet with the Pastor Meet regularly to discuss the congregation and needs for ministry both within and beyond the walls of the church. Developing a healthy relationship with the pastor is an important part of your ministry. It’s important that you are the healthy bridge between the pastor and the congregation.

LEADERSHIP COVENANT Between _____________________________ (pastor) and __________________________________ (Lay Leader)  Description of Local Mission and Ministry Area, including history of the area, when and how community and church were established, distinctions, and purpose.  Roles (who does what)  Expectations  Accountability  Plan for improvements  Celebrate accomplishments  Evaluation  Review

Serving on Committees YOU WILL BE BUSY!!!!!!!!!! The Lay Leader is automatically a member by virtue of office to five committees. Your role on these committees is as a representative and advocate for the laity. Therefore, as Lay Leader you need to know and cultivate a relationship with your congregation. It’s hard to represent those you don’t know.

COMMITTEES  Member of the Charge Conference  Member of the Church Council  Member of the Finance Committee  Member of the Lay Leadership Committee  Member of the S/PPR Committee

STUDY Your willingness to continue to study and learn will model the importance on continuing education for other church leaders. Attending training events in the district and conference will give you the opportunity to encourage members of your congregation to take advantage of those training events. You are encouraged to become a Certified Lay Speaker in order to increase your leadership skills.

Advising the Church Council You can assist the church council to:  Look for and take advantage of opportunities to interpret the mission and ministry of the congregation to the community; where can the ministries of your congregation assist the community?  Share ways in which the congregation could provide mission and ministry opportunities to meet the needs of persons in the community. Partner with a local elementary school, homeless shelter, disaster relief, or neighborhood watch.

Reflection “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Matthew 25:35-36

 How could a lay leader have been an advocate in the congregation for the group of trained and available lay visitors?  How could the LL have been an advocate in the congregation for the pastor?  How might this Scripture passage help the LL interpret ministry opportunities to the congregation?  What other passages could be helpful?  What methods could the pastor and the LL use to bring Scripture and the church’s mission to life regarding the shared clergy/laity ministry?

Where do I get help?  Study Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation Lay Leader/Lay Member  Lay Speaking Ministries training, Certified Lay Ministry training, other leadership training opportunities  Your Pastor, other active lay people  Book of Discipline 2012 paragraph 251  InfoServ,   Interpreter magazine

Information contained in this presentation came from the Book of Discipline and from the Lay Leader/Lay Member Study Guide and is intended for use in training Local Church and District Lay Leaders in the Alabama/West Florida Conference.