Pasadena District

California-Pacific Conference of the The United Methodist Church

The Lay Speaking Ministry       

WHAT IS THE TASK OF LAY SPEAKERS?

A lay speaker is a professing member of a local church or charge who is ready and desirous to serve the Church and who is weIl-informed on the Scriptures and the doctrine, heritage, organization and life of the United Methodist Church and who has received 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 are to 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 and more effective discipleship, including the interpretation of the Scriptures, doctrine, organization, and ministries of the Church.

Lay speakers are committed people! They spend time preparing for speaking ministry and serving others.  Lay speaking programs include service through pulpit supply, leading Bible study and interpreting church programs,and discovering additional ways to grow and serve. 

Lay speakers are either LOCAL or CERTIFIED depending on the calling to serve in just the local congregation or to serve beyond the local church or charge in the wider community. 

 ALL LAY SPEAKERS MUST -

1  Receive approval of their pastor, and Charge Conference/Church Board/Church Council. 

2  Attend the Basic Lay Speakers Course once, and as local lay speakers attend a refresher course at least once every 3 years.

3 To obtain Certification, complete the Basic Course and one Advanced Course of your choosing.

4  When certified, attend an advanced class at least once every three years.  These courses will provide a source of comfort and confidence for service.

HOW DO LAY SPEAKERS SERVE?

Caring - As lay speakers move from words to deeds they find ways to care for others.  Some lay speakers are involved in crisis ministries, such as being with families in time of grief.  Others are active in hospital visitations, or working with the poor.  Lay speakers visit with prospective, inactive and new members.  They are involved in specialized caring ministries in their communities, such as programs for families of those in prison or jails, family violence prevention programs, and more.  Lay speakers share a ministry of caring by speaking one-on-one with people in times of need and times of joy.  Lay speakers witness to their faith by responding to the needs of others with care-giving love and service. 

Leading - Lay speakers are expanding their leadership roles in their church and community.  Some are organizing new study groups or helping to lead forums on special subjects such as unemployment, hunger, or teenage pregnancy.  Others are helping to develop service opportunities for lay persons.   Some are helping congregations examine the needs of their own communities in order to develop programs that address those needs.  Many lay speakers understand their roles as members and leaders of community groups to be an extension of their special commitment to witness and service.

Speaking - Both the Bible and more recent Christian experience point to the importance of speaking the faith, and proclaiming God’s transforming love for a broken world.  The spoken word has led individuals to new commitment to Christ and to living faithfully.  Lay speakers have often supplied pulpits and led Bible studies.  Many are finding new settings in which to speak; youth and children’s groups, nursing homes, jail and prison ministries, and more.   In many ways lay speakers are speaking as witnesses and inviting others to partake in Christian discipleship. 

HISTORY OF LAY SPEAKING MINISTRIES

Lay Speakers used to be called Exhorters and were around almost from the beginning of Methodism. They did not preach in the usual sense of that term, but held meetings for prayer, and addressed the people on the subject of religion, giving them requisite encouragement and admonition, and calling them that were without to repentance. The Exhorters were generally men of superior sense, and of unquestionable piety.

For more information or Study requests,

contact the District Office

Last Update: October 31, 2009

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