Certification is the process recognized in the United Methodist Church to prepare someone for significant service. In this case, certification provides a layperson with the training, support, supervision, and accountability needed to lead a congregation that either does not have a traditional clergy appointment or one that is developing team ministry.
Remember: Certification is intended to be an ongoing process, not an end in itself. So you could honestly say that certification take a lifetime and begins with a placement!
3. Where is this position mentioned in the Book of Discipline?
Paragraph 272 in the 2004 Book of Discipline explains certified lay ministry, requirements, and service distinction.
4. How is a CLM different from other recognized ministers?
A CLM is a unique, recognized lay servant in The United Methodist Church. A CLM is intended for the missional leadership of smaller churches as part of a team ministry under the supervision of a clergyperson. As part of the historic continuation of lay leadership in our church, CLMs resemble earlier exhorters, class leaders, lay preachers, and missioners.
Specific distinctions are offered below to explain (not compare) leadership. A CLM is different from…
- An Elder
An elder is a clergy member of the annual conference ordained for Word, Order, and Sacrament. Under the guaranteed appointment (placement) of a bishop, an elder has usually completed seminary training. His or her sole livelihood comes from a church.
- A Licensed Local Pastor:
A licensed local pastor is a clergy member of the annual conference who provides pastoral leadership in a local congregation. He or she is appointed (placed) by the bishop for nonitinerant ministry in a local congregation. His or her training includes attending a conference licensing (or pastors') school and completing the course of study program available from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
- A Certified Lay Speaker:
A certified lay speaker is a layperson who has completed the basic course in lay speaking ministries and an additional advanced course. His or her certification is renewed every three years upon completing another course.
Although lay speakers are intended to serve in the ministry and mission within the local congregation where they are members in good standing, certified lay speakers may serve beyond the local church. They may provide temporary pulpit supply for pastors who are away from the church due to vacation, a mission project, or a family crisis. Traditionally, lay speakers also speak on Laity Sunday.
5. When is a person actually certified?
When the CLM completes the process and appears before the DCOM, he or she will be issued a certificate after a successful review. Remaining certified is dependent on continuing the process: being active in competent service and completing additional courses for recertification.
In those cases where a CLM no longer has an assignment due to church discontinuance or merging, the district superintendent is encouraged to assign the CLM to another congregation. This may be his or her own local church or another church that needs missional leadership as part of a ministry team.
6. What attire is appropriate for the CLM to wear during worship?
Since the position of certified lay minister is not a clergy position, the CLM does not have sacramental authority at any time. Appropriate attire would be regular, ordinary "go-to-church" clothes. This person leads a congregation in the work of ministry, but is not considered clergy and should not try to appear as such. Therefore, a clergy robe and stole should never be worn. Further, the CLM should not assume the title "pastor" or be addressed as a "reverend."
7. Why do we need CLMs? Are they really necessary?
Rather than using deficit thinking (we have a clergy shortage, lack of funds for traditional pastoral leadership in our small church, use certified lay speakers already…), it is helpful to see CLMs as an asset (an extension of clergy/lay leadership) in missional settings, such as our smaller congregations, faith communities, ethnic/culturally diverse ministries, and other places where team ministry is valued.
Although certified lay speakers had been placed in a similar role before the 2004 General Conference, it is now the intent of the church that a CLM be used in those situations. The certification process prepares the CLM to be an intentional, holistic congregational leader assigned under the supervision of an equipping clergyperson in a team ministry. The CLM is not intended for occasional pulpit supply.
PROCESS
8. How does a CLM become certified?
There are certain requirements that must be met for a layperson to become certified. (Note: Being completely certified is not, however, a prerequisite for serving as part of a ministry team or being assigned to lead a congregation. In fact, being active in leadership is one way to demonstrate the gifts and graces someone has for the ministry!)
To become certified, a person must:
- Be recommended by the pastor and charge conference.
- Review the literature available and begin discernment with trusted spiritual friends to test the call.
- Talk with the pastor about this call to ministry.
- The pastor writes a letter explaining whether or not he or she recommends this person as a certified lay minister. (This recommendation must be taken seriously! It is the first level of the recommendation process. The letter should state that the person is a member in good standing in the local church and should highlight the individual's service and abilities that are seen locally as fruits of ministry.)
- If the pastor agrees with the individual's desire to explore certification as a lay minister, then the pastor refers the recommendation for certification to the administrative council (or the main church leadership group).
- Meet with the administrative council with the pastor present to discuss CLM and the ministry call.
- The administrative group makes a decision to support or not to support the call (vote or consensus process).
- The administrative group sends a letter to the district superintendent with their decision.
- Be in active service in the church and demonstrate an understanding of United Methodist history and doctrine. It is recommended that the individual be a certified lay speaker or the equivalent. The candidate should:
- Meet with the district superintendent to discuss certification and ministry opportunities on the district.
- Have copies of local church recommendations.
- Have Lay Speaker Certification or equivalent preparation, such as attending a licensing school, seminary coursework, conference lay institute, leadership academy, and so on).
- The district superintendent notifies the district committee on ministry of the individual's entry as a potential CLM when all previous training and recommendations are in order.
- The district superintendent (or designated person) initiates the screening process to include background, credit, and psychological checks required by the annual conference. The candidate then must:
- Sign a release form for the checks to be done.
- Complete screening forms.
- Meet with people associated with the process (psychiatrist/psychologist).
Note: The costs for this process should be clearly understood by the potential certified lay minister at the beginning of the process. Fees may be covered by the individual and returned when certification is completed. Fees could be covered by a local congregation or partially or fully funded by the conference board of ministry or other sources. Please be sensitive to the costs associated with the process required of laypeople.
- The district superintendent meets with the congregation under consideration for the CLM assignment to introduce mutual ministry and ensure the congregation's readiness for this form of ministry.
- A congregation workshop is conducted./li>
- A mutual ministry team (MMT) is formed.
- Plans are made for the development of the ministry covenant.
- The CLM is placed as the pastoral leader in the local church as part of a mutual ministry team (MMT) and is assigned a supervising clergyperson.
- Complete the recommended coursework.
- Meet with your supervising clergyperson to:
- Decide the time and place of a regular meeting for ministry supervision.
- Learn available methods of completing coursework (local church small group, conference lay academy or institute, seminary lay program, or district peer group).
- Choose the learning method you are most likely to be able to complete. Consult with your MMT as you make your decision, since the team must be involved in the learning process for you to complete the work.
- Schedule timeline for completing coursework.
- Obtain coursework at www.upperroom.org/bookstore (Type in "certified" in the search box.)
- Register for academy or CLM peer group, if required.
- Begin recommended coursework. (Remember: Regardless of the learning method selected, the local church mutual ministry team must be formed and active to complete activities in the assigned setting. "Shared Praxis," the learning approach that involves learning-action-reflection, is a crucial part of this formative process.)
- Be recommended by the district superintendent.
- The candidate meets with the district superintendent to discuss background testing results, assess certification experience to date, discuss congregational leadership experience, and determine additional support necessary to be successfully certified and effective in leadership.
- The candidate completes follow-up as agreed.
- The district superintendent recommends certification and continuing assignment or removes the CLM candidate from the process.
- Apply in writing to the district committee on ministry (DCOM) and be reviewed by the committee.
- The candidate schedules an interview with the DCOM upon completion of coursework.
- The candidate writes a letter formally requesting a meeting. He or she includes a copy of the CLM Process Checklist with completed requirements checked for easy review.
- The DCOM should review the CLM process and the candidate's related paperwork to be sure everything has been completed before the meeting.
- The DCOM meeting occurs with the entire committee or designates (sub-group formed for this process).
- The time and location should be negotiated carefully in advance for the CLM and support/sponsors' convenience.
- The interview time should be a supportive, encouraging experience appropriate for this form of ministry. The DCOM will allow time for the CLM candidate to raise any questions he or she has related to the process and recertification expectations. (This interview is not intended as a theological inquisition, but as a guide toward continuing growth and development as a lay pastoral leader.)
- The DCOM may recommend certification with recertification courses it deems important to consider later.
- Recertification takes place every two years. The CLM completes a ministry course and meets again with the DCOM for recognition.
9. What is the role of conference boards, such as the board of ordained ministry or the board of laity?
These groups have a vital supportive role in the training and recognition of CLMs by collaborating in developing a conference policy and practice. These groups are not responsible for certification.
ACCOUNTABILITY
10. How is the CLM placed for service?
The CLM can be assigned by the bishop in consultation with the
cabinet (Book of Discipline, ¶ 205.4) or by the district superintendent to a congregation to provide preaching, care ministry, program leadership, and witness to the community as part of a mutual ministry team.
11. How are the sacraments celebrated in a congregation served by a CLM?
Only clergy have sacramental authority in The United Methodist Church. Baptism and Holy Communion are the two sacraments celebrated by our denomination. CLMs do not have sacramental authority, but they may conduct weddings and funerals, according to the laws of the state and with permission of the annual conference.
12. To whom is the CLM accountable for his or her leadership?
A supervising clergyperson with equipping gifts is essential to the CLM's effectiveness. The mutual ministry team from the local congregation served is also part of the accountability process.
A local church served by a CLM still has a pastor-parish relations committee and a charge conference to communicate the CLM's effectiveness and support.
TRAINING
13. What is the coursework required?
The General Board of Discipleship and The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry have worked together to develop the basic coursework to prepare leaders for this form of ministry.
The required coursework has four modules:
- Call and Covenant for Ministry
Description: Understanding of theology and call for ministry,
exploring spiritual gifts, and developing a ministry covenant.
Minimum Time: 10 hours
- The Practice of Ministry
Description: Four Sections: Leading Worship, Preaching/Sharing Faith, Discipleship Ministries, and Caring for a Congregation.
Minimum Time: 8 hours per section
- Organization of Ministry
Description: Focus on the leader's task of organizing a congregation for mission and ministry. It provides specific guidance on topics central to a congregation's health.
Minimum Time: 8 hours
- Connection for Ministry
Description: United Methodist theology, practice, and polity are explained with the roles of the local congregation district, conference, and general church.
Minimum Time: 8 hours
The times given above may vary according to the ministry setting/context and format chosen to complete the material (local church small group, district peer group, or conference academy). The point is to take an adequate amount of time to complete the coursework so that it can be used effectively in ministry.
Please note: This coursework is not intended to compare with traditional training, such as certified lay speaking schools/courses, licensing school, course of study, or even seminary. It is designed to prepare a CLM for effective pastoral service as part of a ministry team that should include leaders who have completed traditional training or theological education.
14. Where can a person get the training to become a certified lay minister?
Training may be offered by the conference or district. Those interested are encouraged to check with the district superintendent for available opportunities.
The coursework (4 modules) provided by the General Board of
Discipleship as downloads can also be used as a group-study with
the supervision of a clergyperson and the support of a mutual ministry team (key leaders) of the congregation being served by the CLM.
Whatever the format chosen, it should include work/interaction with people in the local congregation being served.
SUPPORT
15. Whom should people contact regarding their interest in this role?
People should be in contact with the pastor and district superintendent. Interested people may also e-mail the General Board of Discipleship at clm@gbod.org.
16. What are some creative ways to use the CLM?
There are many ways that the service of a CLM can enhance the mission of the church. Specifically:
- The CLM may be assigned as a congregational leader in a small church that needs consistent, affordable pastoral care.
- The CLM may serve as part of a pastoral ministry team on a larger circuit or parish under the supervision of a lead pastor (appointed elder or licensed local pastor) to increase the pastoral care in the area.
- A CLM from a specific culture or ethnic group can help an existing congregation reach out as a new faith community. Indigenous leadership can be essential in this situation!
- The CLM can extend the reach of clergy into an area experiencing decline or shrinking resources.
- A CLM can be helpful in a larger church that is forming a pastoral ministry team to provide adequate services to its members.
17. How are CLMs compensated?
A CLM is a layperson serving out of his or her baptism as a disciple of Jesus Christ. CLMs are not intended to be reimbursed as are full- or part-time clergy. Therefore salary, health care, or other clergy benefits are not appropriate. CLMs are encouraged to have their main source of livelihood beyond the local church. Most will serve in the churches they grew up in or ones nearby their homes. The assigned congregation may offer support for mileage, resources, training, and other items deemed vital for ministry after negotiation that includes the CLM and the district superintendent.
(Important: consult your federal and state tax codes to learn the impact of reimbursement or other support provided to a CLM, including living in a parsonage. These items may need to be legally declared as income.)
Thank you for your interest in Certified Lay Ministry. May God bless you as you seek to faithfully live out God's mission to make disciples for Jesus Christ in the world! If you have additions questions, please send an e-mail to clm@gbod.org.
• • • •
This article was prepared by Julia Kuhn Wallace and Sandy Zeigler, staff of the General Board of Discipleship.
Copyright © 2006 General Board of Discipleship, Box 340003 Nashville, TN 37203-0003.
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