1. CERTIFIED LAY MINISTER FAQ Updated 8/4/08 FAQ

2. 2 WHAT IS A CERTIFIED LAY MINISTER? It is a position to enhance the quality of ministry and ability of small membership churches and team ministry in larger membership churches to meet the spiritual and temporal needs of a constantly changing world. It is a position to enhance the quality of ministry and ability of small membership churches and team ministry in larger membership churches to meet the spiritual and temporal needs of a constantly changing world. Ministry Team Pastor Certified Lay Minister Certified Lay minister

3. 3 WHAT IS A CERTIFIED LAY MINISTER ALLOWED TO DO IN MINISTRY? The CLM shall preach the Word, provide a care ministry to the local congregation, assist in program leadership and be a witness in the community for the growth, missional, and connectional efforts of the United Methodist Church. The CLM shall preach the Word, provide a care ministry to the local congregation, assist in program leadership and be a witness in the community for the growth, missional, and connectional efforts of the United Methodist Church.

4. 4 WHAT ARE THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS? Persons who have taken the Certified Lay Speaker course or an equivalent training as defined by the Baltimore-Washington Conference may be eligible to take the designated 4 Modules to become a Certified Lay Minister. Persons who have taken the Certified Lay Speaker course or an equivalent training as defined by the Baltimore-Washington Conference may be eligible to take the designated 4 Modules to become a Certified Lay Minister.

5. 5 WHAT ELSE MUST I DO TO BECOME A CANDIDATE? Following the successful completion of this spiritual enrichment experience, the candidate is subject to meet one or all of these pre-requisites: background check and child abuse clearance. Following the successful completion of this spiritual enrichment experience, the candidate is subject to meet one or all of these pre-requisites: background check and child abuse clearance.

6. 6 WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO CERTIFICATION? A person must demonstrate appreciation for the Bible, history, polity, doctrine, worship and liturgy of the United Methodist Church through service in the local church. A person must demonstrate appreciation for the Bible, history, polity, doctrine, worship and liturgy of the United Methodist Church through service in the local church. A person must accept his/her calling to become a certified lay minister. A person must accept his/her calling to become a certified lay minister.

7. 7 WHAT ARE THE PASTOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES? WHAT ARE THE PASTOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES? The pastor must meet with the person to affirm his/her calling. The pastor must meet with the person to affirm his/her calling. The pastor is to read through the Christian as Minister book with the candidate. The pastor is to read through the Christian as Minister book with the candidate. The pastor is to submit a request in writing to the District Superintendent/Guide asking for a meeting with the SPRC, and church council chair. This team’s purpose is to give affirmation of the candidate’s call by God and determine if that person has met the preliminary qualifications to go through the process of becoming a Certified Lay Minister. If the DS/Guide is unable to meet during this time frame, have the candidate to e-mail the affirmation to the DS/Guide. The pastor is to submit a request in writing to the District Superintendent/Guide asking for a meeting with the SPRC, and church council chair. This team’s purpose is to give affirmation of the candidate’s call by God and determine if that person has met the preliminary qualifications to go through the process of becoming a Certified Lay Minister. If the DS/Guide is unable to meet during this time frame, have the candidate to e-mail the affirmation to the DS/Guide. All pastors are required to purchase the first module, “Call and Covenant for Ministry,” in order to participate with their candidate to establish a spiritual team relationship. The cost for this curriculum is $20.00. All pastors are required to purchase the first module, “Call and Covenant for Ministry,” in order to participate with their candidate to establish a spiritual team relationship. The cost for this curriculum is $20.00.

8. 8 WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEP? The candidates must complete the Course of Study. The Modules are 2 ½ hours per session Module I: Covenant for Ministry – 6 weeks Module I: Covenant for Ministry – 6 weeks Module II: Practice of Ministry – 6 weeks Module II: Practice of Ministry – 6 weeks Module III: Organization of Ministry – 6 weeks Module III: Organization of Ministry – 6 weeks Module IV: Connection and Ministry – 6 weeks Module IV: Connection and Ministry – 6 weeks

9. 9 HOW OFTEN ARE THESE MODULES OFFERED? Schedule for Modules: September 27 th – November 1, 2008 September 27 th – November 1, 2008 February 7 th -- March 21, 2009 February 7 th -- March 21, 2009 April 11 th -- May 16, 2009 April 11 th -- May 16, 2009 September 26 th -- October 31, 2009 September 26 th -- October 31, 2009 The exact dates will vary depending on the region. Each region will established their own day of the week for their training site. All modules must be taken in sequence presented.

10. 10 WHAT ARE THE COSTS FOR THE CLM COURSE? Application fee: $25.00 Application fee: $25.00 Due date: August 10, 2008 Due date: August 10, 2008 Cost per module: $100.00 Cost per module: $100.00 First Module Payment First Module Payment Due September 1, 2008 Due September 1, 2008 TOTAL COST OF THE COURSE: $425.00 TOTAL COST OF THE COURSE: $425.00

11. 11 WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS? When the 4 modules are successfully completed, When the 4 modules are successfully completed, the District Superintendent/Guide will contact their respective chair of the District Committee on Ordained Ministry to schedule a time for the prospective candidate to meet with members of DCOM. the District Superintendent/Guide will contact their respective chair of the District Committee on Ordained Ministry to schedule a time for the prospective candidate to meet with members of DCOM. The candidates will meet with the local church, SPRC and upon the SPRC recommendation, get approval (by majority vote) at the next regularly scheduled charge conference. A copy of this approval is to be forwarded to the DCOM. The candidates will meet with the local church, SPRC and upon the SPRC recommendation, get approval (by majority vote) at the next regularly scheduled charge conference. A copy of this approval is to be forwarded to the DCOM.

12. 12 WHEN WILL I BE CERTIFIED? Upon satisfactory completion of all of the above steps, the person may be recommended to serve in ministry by the District Committee on Ordained Ministry to the Board of Ordained Ministry and the Bishop as a Certified Lay Minister. Upon satisfactory completion of all of the above steps, the person may be recommended to serve in ministry by the District Committee on Ordained Ministry to the Board of Ordained Ministry and the Bishop as a Certified Lay Minister.

13. 13 HOW AM I CLASSIFIED IN THE MINISTRY? THE CERTIFIED LAY MINISTER HAS NO CLERGY RIGHTS OR BENEFITS. THE CERTIFIED LAY MINISTER HAS NO CLERGY RIGHTS OR BENEFITS. THE FINAL PLACEMENT OF THE CERTIFIED LAY MINISTER IS UNDER THE DISCRETION OF THE BISHOP AND THE CABINET. THE FINAL PLACEMENT OF THE CERTIFIED LAY MINISTER IS UNDER THE DISCRETION OF THE BISHOP AND THE CABINET.

14. 14 DO I HAVE TO BE RE-CERTIFIED EVERY YEAR? The CLM must be re-certified by the DCOM every 2 years after a successful ministry program and recommendation of Charge Conference from the congregation to which the CLM is a member: (1) Completion of Continuing Education; (2) Recommendation of the pastor, Church Council Chair, and Charge Conference; (3) Recommendation of the District Superintendent/Guide. The CLM must be re-certified by the DCOM every 2 years after a successful ministry program and recommendation of Charge Conference from the congregation to which the CLM is a member: (1) Completion of Continuing Education; (2) Recommendation of the pastor, Church Council Chair, and Charge Conference; (3) Recommendation of the District Superintendent/Guide.