Certified Lay Ministers
The Continuing Journey…
In 2004 the
General Conference recognized several key issues in today’s church…
some have been
on multi-point charges or parishes and sharing clergy leadership;
others are
experiencing numeric growth and can benefit from a pastoral team;
and those with
multi-cultural or cross-cultural groups would do well to develop indigenous
leadership.
For these
reasons they created the role in the United Methodist structure of Certified
Lay Minister. This form of ministry follows the early Methodist tradition of
lay preachers and class leaders who served the Christian community. A
Certified Lay Minister must demonstrate appreciation of the history, polity,
doctrine, worship and liturgy of The United Methodist Church through service in
his/her local church.
How do I become a
Certified Lay Minister?
A Christ Servant
Minister (or person with equivalent training as defined by the Eastern
Pennsylvania Annual Conference) may be certified as a lay minister by the
District Committee on Ordained Ministry after he/she has:
- Step 1: Local Church
Recommendation -- Written recommendation of the
Pastor and supporting vote of the Church Council or Charge Conference where
he/she holds membership.
- Step 2: Complete
Coursework recommended by the General Board of
Discipleship and General Board of Higher Education and Ministry including:
- Module I: Covenant for Ministry
- Module II: Practice of Ministry
- Module III: Organization of
Ministry
- Module IV: Connection and Ministry
- Step 3: Recommendation by District Superintendent
after completion of appropriate screening and assessment.
- Step 4: Apply in writing to the District Committee on Ordained
Ministry and appear for review. A certificate
recognizing the individual as a Certified Lay Minister is issued by DCOM
upon completion of the process.
How are Certified Lay
Ministers different from other Pastoral Leaders?
A Certified Lay Minister is a unique servant
leader whose role is different from…
- An Elder
who is a clergy member of the Annual Conference, ordained for Word, Sacrament
and Order, and appointed by the Bishop for itinerate ministry;
- A Deacon
who is a clergy member of the Annual Conference, ordained for a ministry of Word
and Service, and appointed to a non itinerant ministry in the community and the
congregation;
- A Local
Pastor who is a clergy member of the Annual Conference licensed for pastoral
ministry. The Licensed Local Pastor does not itinerate.
- Or a Christ
Servant Minister who is certified for ministry in the church and community
and may serve as temporary pulpit supply.
Assignment and Recertification…
Certified Lay Ministers
are assigned by the District Superintendent to provide lay pastoral leadership
in local churches and have no clergy rights or benefits. Certified Lay
Ministers may be re-certified by the District Committee on Ordained Ministry
every 2 years after successful ministry program and recommendation of Charge
Conference from the congregation to which the CLM is assigned (or, if not
actively serving, a member).
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