Certified Lay Speaker

The Certified Lay Speaker is certified Lay Servant whose call has been affirmed by the conference committee on lay servant ministries or equivalent structure to serve the church in the pulpit supply.

The certified lay speaker serves by preaching the Word when requested by the pastor, district superintendent or committee on lay servant ministers.

To become a Lay Speaker, you must:

• Be certified as a lay servant.
• Obtain recommendation from the pastor and the church council or charge conference of the local church in which you hold membership.
• Complete a track of study including:
  • Leading Worship
  • Leading Prayer
  • Discovering Spiritual Gifts
  • Preaching
  • United Methodist Heritage
  • United Methodist Polity
  • Other courses determined by the conference committee on lay servant ministries or equivalent structure.

• Interview with and obtain recommendation from the district committee on lay servant  ministries, or equivalent structure, to be submitted to the conference committee on lay servant ministries, or equivalent structure, for approval and certification