Lay Servant Ministry, Part 2

There are currently three types of Lay Servants; here are there qualifications, purpose, and information about recertification:

1. Certified Lay Servant -- Who should become a certified lay servant? The best  way I’ve heard it defined is that a certified lay servant is a person who has a call to  work in the local church or in the community.  A Certified Lay Servant provides leadership, assistance, and support the program emphases of the  church; leads meetings – prayer, training, discussion, study; conducts or assists in conducting services of worship, preaches, or speaks; Works with, in, or leads committees and teams in the church; leads a particular ministry in the church; teaches about scripture, doctrine, organization or ministries of the church.  In order to become a certified lay servant, you need to be approved by your charge  conference, and complete the basic course, and one advanced course – and you  can choose the course that best matches your call, whether it is preaching, teaching,  praying, care giving – or a multitude of other choices.  To maintain your certification,  you will need to be approved by your charge conference annually (there is a form)  and take one advanced course at least every three years.
2. Certified Lay Speaker.  Consider this option if you are interested in serving pulpit  supply – filling in when necessary, but not serving a single church on a long term  basis.  The certified lay speaker preaches the word when requested by the pastor,  DS, etc and is also equipped to do the work of the Certified Lay Servant.  This certification requires that you first become a certified lay servant – and then  complete six particular advanced courses – preaching, prayer, polity, United  Methodist beliefs, spiritual gifts, and leading worship.  You have to be approved  by your charge conference, and then you have to be interviewed by the District  Committee on Lay Ministry.  Maintaining your certification involves being  approved annually by your charge conference (the form again), being reviewed by  the district committee, and taking an advanced course at least once every three  years.
3. Certified Lay Minister.  Consider this if you are called to serve in a particular  ministry long term – such as assigned supply in a church or working in an outreach  ministry long term (like me at the Foundation), or perhaps serving a church as a  youth worker. The options are not at all limited.  To be certified as a CLM, you  must first become a certified lay servant, and then work through a specific CLM  curriculum.  You are approved by your charge conference annually, and  interviewed by the District Committee on Ordained Ministry every other year.

Recertification

The requirements for recertification are as follows:

•     Annual Form to Charge Conference.  
•     Recommendation from pastor and church council or charge conference
•     Advanced Course every three years

There are additional requirements for recertification as a lay speaker or lay minister.

Hints for recertification

• Track your service throughout the year
• Track your training each year
• Get a form – know when Charge Conference happens in your church and get  the form to the office / pastor at least a week before the charge conference.
• Get forms from the office or from www.wvumc.org