Purpose

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, NRSV)

The fundamental purpose of the Lay Missioner and Pastor-Mentor Training Program is to form lay missioners and pastors so that they may become agents of change within the church and society who operate from the demands of the gospel. In the process, the program seeks to:

• Broaden the human and missional vision of the church and
• Broaden the knowledge and pastoral skills of lay missioners and pastors.

Teaching Principles

This training program assumes that the formation of the participants is already in process. Therefore, the teaching process used is the one called "workshop." In a workshop, the production is collective, using dialogue and the active contribution of all the participants.

For the method of analysis, interpretation, and planning, we use the see-discern-act method.

• SEE refers to the process of analysis. Here we examine the problems we confront as a community and we discover the causes of those problems by using the key question: Why?
• DISCERN is the next step in which we try to interpret the question: "What does God say about the problems we face?" We look for the answer from the biblical perspective and from the perspective of those who suffer injustice and marginalization. It is a process of spiritual discernment. Finally,
• ACT. Global analysis, discernment, biblical-theological reflection and spiritual growth are oriented toward action which seeks to transform reality.

The educational process emphasizes the importance and practice of team ministry, creating an atmosphere of collegiality and companionship between the lay missioner and pastor, men and women, youth and adult, Hispanic and non-Hispanic, academic and non-academic, professional and non-professional.

Requirements for Lay Missioners

Lay missioners are people called by God who have received the basic training (Modules 1 and 2) and have been assigned to work in a team in a specific ministry.

The appointment and recognition of lay missioners, based on the national standards and teaching principles of the Training Program, belongs to the annual conferences.

Basic Requirements for Training

• Experience with and personal commitment to the Risen Christ and the Hispanic community. Openness to the direction of the Holy Spirit.
• Participation in and active commitment within a local congregation of The United Methodist Church or the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico. A demonstrated appreciation for Methodist doctrine and tradition.
• Recommendation of the pastor or appropriate committee of the local church in which the person participates.

Requirements for Certification as Lay Missioners

• Willingness and availability to take part in the Training Program and participate in a process of action-reflection-action.
• Willingness and availability to work in a team with other people.
• Knowledge of, ownership of, and commitment to the National Plan for Hispanic Ministries.
• Understanding of, appreciation for, and affirmation of the existing Hispanic culture in the U.S.
• Availability for a period of time to be part of a team developing ministries.
• Willingness to submit evaluations and reports regarding these ministries to the appropriate persons.
• Having completed Modules 1 and 2 of the Training Program.

Facilitators and Consultants

Modules 1, 2, and 3

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