An Introduction to Lay Speaking Ministries

What is a Lay Speaker?

 

A Lay Speaker is a professing member of a local United Methodist church or charge who is desirous to serve the Church and who is well informed on and committed to the Scriptures and the doctrine, heritage, organization, and life of The United Methodist Church.  A Lay Speaker receives specific training to develop skills in witnessing to the Christian faith through spoken communication, church and community leadership, and care-giving ministries. An applicant must be active in the support of the local church or charge.

 

Lay Speakers serve the local church or charge (or beyond the local church or charge) in any way in which their witness or leadership and service inspires the laity to deeper commitment to Christ.

 

Through continued study and training a Lay Speaker prepares to undertake one or more of the following functions, giving primary attention to service within the local church or charge.

• To take the initiative in providing leadership, assistance, and to support the program emphases of the church.
• To lead meetings for prayer, training, study, and discussion when requested by the pastor, district superintendent, or committee on Lay Speaking.
• To conduct, or assist in conducting, services of worship, and present sermons and addresses when requested by the pastor, district superintendent, or committee on Lay Speaking.
• To relate to appropriate committees and ministry areas in providing leadership for congregational and community life and fostering care-giving ministries.

Lay Speaker training courses shall be those recommended by the General Board of Discipleship or alternates approved by the conference committee on lay speaking. Such training should facilitate ministries with all language and cultural groups.

 

For Conference matters, Contact the Conference Director.  To learn more about the program in your district, please contact the specific District Director.  Kathy Corley------------rkcorley@ntin.net