Lay Speaking Ministriesin the Saginaw Bay District
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Lay speakers who are certified are members of a local congregation who have completed the basic course and one or more advanced course. Each advanced course represents about 15 hours of classroom work and a similar amount of time outside the classroom.
According to the 2000 United Methodist Book of Discipline, certified lay speakers are called to serve by:
- Providing leadership at the local, district and conference level
- Taking the initiative in supporting and assisting with program emphases of the church
- Offering leadership in worship, prayer, study, training and discussion
- Assisting with or conducting worship services and presenting sermons, devotions or meditations in settings beyond the local church in which the certified lay speaker is a member
Certified lay speakers are recognized and approved by their congregation, administrative board/council and the district committee on Lay Speaking Ministries. To maintain certification, they must reapply each year and take at least one advanced course (or equivalent) every three years. The advanced courses available in the current curriculum include:
- Lay Speakers Grow Spiritually Through Daily Discipline
- A Ministry of Caring
- Lay Speakers are Servant Leaders
- Lay Speakers Grow Spiritually Through Daily Discipline
- Lay Speakers Interpret to Others Our United Methodist Heritage
- Lay Speakers Lead in Bible Study
- Lay Speakers Lead in Evangelism
- Lay Speakers Lead Prayer
- Lay Speakers Lead in Stewardship
- Lay Speakers Lead Small Groups
- Lay Speakers Lead in Mission Outreach
- Lay Speakers Lead in Worship
- Lay Speakers Preach
- Lay Speakers Cultivate Christian Community
Lists of Certified Lay Speakers
Click here for a list of certified lay speakers.
Annual Report StatusNot all lay speakers are gifted speakers. If you are seeking someone for pulpit supply and aren’t sure about the lay speaker’s preaching abilities, we encourage you to contact the pastor of their home church for an evaluation of those skills.