1. Lay Servant Ministries

2. Welcome

3. 2012 General Conference of the UMC
“Lay Speaking Ministries” became “Lay Servant Ministries”

4. Lay Servant Ministries
Remain the same in the program
Local Church Lay Servant
Certified Lay Servant
Added to the program
Lay Speaker
Additional equipping within the program
Certified Lay Minister

5. “Servant”
After washing their feet, Jesus put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth; slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them. John 13:12-17 NLT

6. The Book of Discipline

7. The Way Forward

8. Local Church Lay Servant

9. Local Church Lay Servant
Are active, supporting, and professing members of a local church or charge
Desire to serve the local church
Are informed on scripture, doctrine, heritage, and the organization of The United Methodist Church

10. Local Church Lay Servant
Receive training to develop skills in witnessing to the Christian faith
Serve using their spiritual gifts
Inspire others to a deeper commitment to Christ
Promote effective discipleship

11. Requirements: Local Church Lay Servant
Submit application in writing
Be recommended by pastor, church council or charge conference
Complete the Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries

12. Requirements: Local Church Lay Servant
Interview annually with pastor
Submit an annual report

13. Renewal: Local Church Lay Servant
Complete a Refresher Course once every three years

14. Lay Servant Ministries Courses
Basic Course
Discover personal spiritual gifts
Understand importance of servant leadership
Learn how to develop future leaders
Remain rooted in spiritual practices
Hold members accountable in discipleship

15. Lay Servant Ministries Courses
Refresher Courses
United Methodist 101
Concepts in Leadership I
Concepts in Leadership II
Opening Ourselves to Grace
Pentecost Journey

16. Local Church Lay Servant
Annual Report
File three copies
Local Church Lay Servant
District Committee of Lay Servant Ministries
District Superintendent

17. Local Church Lay Servant
Annual Report includes:
Status
Request
Recommendation of Pastor
Recommendation of Charge Conference
Ministries of Lay Servant
Personal and spiritual growth
Feedback

18. Certified Lay Servant

19. Certified Lay Servant
Are active, supporting, and professing members of a local church/charge
Local Church Lay Servant who completes one Advanced Course in Lay Servant Ministries
Serves the local church

20. Certified Lay Servant Uses gifts for witness and leadership
Inspires laity to a deeper commitment to Christ
Interprets Scriptures, doctrine, organization and ministries of the local church

21. Requirements: Certified Lay Servant
Submit application in writing
Be recommended by pastor, church council or charge conference
Complete the Basic Course in Servant Ministries and one Advanced Course in Lay Servant Ministries

22. Requirements: Certified Lay Servant
Request review of qualifications by the District Committee on Lay Servant Ministries and charge conference
Submit annual report

23. Renewal: Certified Lay Servant
Request renewal of certification with the District Committee on Lay Servant Ministries
Interview with pastor (annually)
Complete an Advanced Course every three years

24. Lay Servant Ministries Courses
Advanced Courses:
Discover Your Spiritual Gifts
Rediscovery of Our Spiritual Gifts
Living Our United Methodist Beliefs
Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Tradition

25. Lay Servant Ministries Courses
Advanced Courses Continued:
Growing Spiritually Through Daily Disciplines
Transforming Evangelism
Life together in The United Methodist Church
Accountable Discipleship

26. Lay Servant Ministries Courses
Advanced Courses Continued:
Class Leaders
Your Ministry of Leading Worship 101
Leading Worship
Planning Worship
Come to the Table

27. Lay Servant Ministries Courses
Advanced Courses Continued:
Multimedia Technology in Worship for the Church Volunteer 101
Leading Public Prayer
Lead in Prayer
You Can Preach!

28. Certified Lay Servant Advanced Courses Continued:
From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering an Effective Sermon
Dancing with Words
Biblical Storytelling I and II
Come to the Waters
Lay Pastoral Care Giving

29. Lay Servant Ministries Courses
Advanced Courses Continued:
Aging and Ministry in the 21st Century
Afire with God
Start Here

30. Lay Servant Ministries Courses
Alternative Advanced Courses
Courses may be used for recertification once every six years.
Lay Witness Mission
Understanding Men’s Ministry
The Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation
SOULfeast
Aldersgate Renewal Ministries

31. Lay Servant Ministries Courses
West Ohio Conference Approved Advanced Courses
These courses are approved as Advanced Courses.
Discipleship Bible Study
Mission U/School of Christian Mission

32. Lay Speaker Annual Report www.westohioumc.org/layservant
File three copies
Lay Speaker
District Committee of Lay Servant Ministries
District Superintendent

33. Lay Speaker Annual Report includes: Status Request
Recommendation of Pastor
Recommendation of Charge Conference
Ministries of Lay Servant
Personal and spiritual growth
Feedback

34. Certified Lay Servant Annual Report includes: Status Request
Recommendation of Pastor
Recommendation of Charge Conference
Ministries of Lay Servant
Personal and spiritual growth
Feedback

35. Certified Lay Servant Annual Report includes: Status Request
Recommendation of Pastor
Recommendation of Charge Conference
Ministries of Lay Servant
Personal and spiritual growth
Feedback

36. Certified Lay Servant Annual Report www.westohioumc.org/layservant
File three copies
Certified Lay Servant
District Committee of Lay Servant Ministries
District Superintendent

37. Certified Lay Servant Annual Report includes: Status Request
Recommendation of Pastor
Recommendation of Charge Conference
Ministries of Lay Servant
Personal and spiritual growth
Feedback

38. Lay Speaker

39. Lay Speaker
Created in 2012 session of General Conference to foster excellence, insure quality, provide accountability, and retain the heritage of those called to pulpit supply

40. Lay Speaker
Are active, supporting, and professing members of a local church/charge
Serves the local church
A Certified Lay Servant who completes the required Courses of Study to further develop leadership and preaching skills

41. Requirements: Lay Speaker
Submit application in writing
Obtain recommendation from pastor and charge conference
Complete the Basic Course for Lay Servant Ministries

42. Requirements: Lay Speaker
Complete the required Courses of Study
Interview with the District Committee on Lay Servant Ministries

43. Requirements: Lay Speaker
Submit West Ohio Conference Interview Form and Action Report of recommendation for certification along with a copy of Lay Speaker’s file to the West Ohio Conference Committee on Lay Servant Ministries for review and final approval

44. Requirements: Lay Speaker
File an annual report

45. Renewal: Lay Speaker Renew certification every three years
Submit renewal application in writing to District Committee on Lay Servant Ministries
Obtain recommendation from pastor and charge conference

46. Renewal: Lay Speaker
Interview with the District Committee on Lay Servant Ministries

47. Renewal: Lay Speaker
Submit West Ohio Conference Interview Form and Action Report of recommendation for renewal along with a copy of Lay Speaker’s file to the West Ohio Conference Committee on Lay Servant Ministries for review and final recertification approval

48. Transition: Lay Speaker
Completion time frame of former “Certified Lay Speakers”
No time frame indicated in the Book of Discipline
Conference determines
Therefore, all current Certified Lay Servants, who were formerly Certified Lay Speakers, must complete the required course of study by December 31, 2015 to remain credentialed as a “Lay Speaker” within the West Ohio Conference.

49. Lay Servant Ministries Courses of Study
Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts Leading Worship Leading Prayer Living Our United Methodist Beliefs (UM Heritage) Life Together in The United Methodist Connection (UM Polity) Go Preach

50. Lay Servant Ministries Courses of Study
All required courses, with the exception of Go Preach, are available online at

51. Renewal: Lay Speaker Renewal every three years
Complete an Advanced Course every three years
Request renewal of certification through the District Committee on Lay Servant Ministries and charge conference

52. Renewal: Lay Speaker
Interview every three years with the District Committee on Lay Servant Ministries

53. Renewal: Lay Speaker
Submit West Ohio Conference Interview Form and Action Report of recommendation for renewal as a Lay Speaker along with a copy of Lay Speaker’s file to the West Ohio Conference Committee on Lay Servant Ministries for review and final approval of recertification

54. Renewal: Lay Speaker
File Annual Report

55. Lay Speaker Annual Report www.westohioumc.org/layservant
File three copies
Lay Speaker
District Committee of Lay Servant Ministries
District Superintendent

56. Lay Speaker Annual Report includes: Status Request
Recommendation of Pastor
Recommendation of Charge Conference
Ministries of Lay Servant
Personal and spiritual growth
Feedback

57. Certified Lay Minister

58. Certified Lay Minister
Are active, supporting, and professing members of a local church/charge
Certified Lay Servant or Lay Speaker
Serves the local church, the district or annual conference

59. Certified Lay Minister
Enhances quality to small membership churches
Expands team ministry
Preaches the Word
Provides care for the congregation
Assists in program leadership

60. Certified Lay Minister
Serves as a witness in the community to further growth, mission and connectional thrust of The United Methodist Church
Develops and leads a ministry team for significant service in a wide variety of mission fields and settings

61. Certified Lay Minister
Receives their assignment from the District Superintendent
Is supervised and supported by a clergy person

62. West Ohio Conference Certified Lay Ministry Academy History
Began in 2008
Combined curriculum from the former Toledo District Academy, West Ohio Conference Lay Academy and Modules for Certified Lay Minister
Birthed The West Ohio Conference Certified Lay Ministry Academy

63. West Ohio Conference Certified Lay Ministry Academy History
West Ohio Conference adopted the West Ohio Conference Certified Lay Ministry Academy as the recognized training for all Certified Lay Ministers

64. West Ohio Conference Certified Lay Ministry Academy History
In 2012, General Conference added the requirement that all Certified Lay Ministers must be a Certified Lay Servant and complete the Lay Speaker courses of study or be a Lay Speaker
General Conference prohibits lowering the requirements

65. Requirements: Certified Lay Minister
Obtain recommendation from pastor and charge conference at the time of application
Maintain current certification as a Certified Lay Servant or Lay Speaker

66. Requirements: Certified Lay Minister
Complete the Lay Speaker required Course of Study as outlined in the Book of Discipline
Complete the West Ohio Conference Lay Ministry Academy and hold certificate of completion

67. Requirements: Certified Lay Minister
Submit request for certification to the District Superintendent and District Committee on Ordained Ministry
Interview with the District Committee on Ordained Ministry for review and recommendation as a Certified Lay Minister

68. Requirements: Certified Lay Minister
Submit West Ohio Conference Interview Form and Action Report of recommendation for certification along with a copy of candidate’s file to the West Ohio Conference Director of Connectional Ministries for final approval

69. Requirements: Certified Lay Minister
If approved, request in writing a ministry assignment from the District Superintendent
File an annual report

70. Overview :Certified Lay Ministry Academy
Established for spiritual formation, community connections and academic training
Equipping in best ministry practices
Requires approval of applicant for admission

71. Certified Lay Ministry Academy
Application Process
Formal application
References
Professional
Ministry peer
Pastor
Background Check Release

72. Certified Lay Ministry Academy
Courses
Discernment and Calling
Boundaries and Ministerial Ethics
Ministry by Strengths
Conflict Mediation and Resolution
Christian Education
Discipleship Pathway

73. Certified Lay Ministry Academy
Courses continued
Missional Experience
Generational Ministries
Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations
World Religions
Wesleyan Response to a Multi Religious World

74. Certified Lay Ministry Academy
Courses continued
Self Care
Sacred Rhythms
Congregational Care
Spiritual retreats (3)

75. Recertification: Certified Lay Minister
Recertify every two years
Complete advance training in appropriate area of ministry
Interview with the District Committee on Ordained Ministry for review and recommendation to be recertified a Certified Lay Minister

76. Certified Lay Minister Recertification
Update Mutual Ministry Plan documenting active support of ministry by a covenant group
File an annual report

77. Certified Lay Minister
Annual Report
NEW in 2014
File three copies
Certified Lay Minister
District Committee on Ordained Ministry
District Superintendent

78. Certified Lay Servant Annual Report includes: Status Request
Recommendation of Pastor
Recommendation of Charge Conference
Ministries of Certified Lay Minister
Personal and spiritual growth
Feedback

79. Certified Lay Ministry Academy
New class ( )
Launches September 2014
18 Months of training
$1,200 fee

80. Lay Servant Ministries Course Availability

81. Lay Servant Course Availability
General Board of Discipleship Catalog erafiles/laity/2014lay-servant-catalog.pdf
Web Based Courses
District Trainings
Equip Resource Catalog
District Website and Electronic Newsletters

82. Connections Database

83. Changes made in Relationships
December 31, 2012
No relationship change was made for Local Church Lay Servants
All former Certified Lay Speaker relationships were ended and a new Certified Lay Servant relationships was created on January 1, 2013

84. Changes made in Relationships
December 31, 2012
No relationship change was made for Certified Lay Ministers, however, all CLM’s will be required to provide documentation of Lay Speaker completed Courses of Study to maintain certification in 2015

85. Changes made in Relationships
January 1, 2013
A new Lay Speaker relationship was created

86. Connetion Data Entry Responsibilities

87. Data Entry Responsibilities
Local Church Lay Servant- District
Certified Lay Servant- District
Lay Speaker- West Ohio Conference
Certified Lay Minister- West Ohio Conference

88. Record Keeping

89. Lay Servant’s Personal File
It is imperative that all Lay Servants keep a record of their training, one-on-one interview and action reports, certificates, annual reports of ministry.
Provide a copy of all documents to the district.

90. Lay Servant’s District File
The District Committee of Lay Ministries must keep current records on all Local Church Lay Servants, Certified Lay Servants and Lay Speakers electronically and/or paper file.

91. Lay Servant’s District File
The District Committee on Ordained Ministry must keep current records on all Certified Lay Ministers electronically and/or paper file.

92. Questions? Answers