• An active, supportive member of a United Methodist church;
  
• Eager to serve through the church;
• Well-informed on Scripture, and on the doctrine, heritage, organization, and life of The United Methodist Church;
• Committed to witnessing through church and community leadership, caregiving ministries, and spoken communication;
• Willing to improve his/her skills for service.

Local Church Lay Speakers . . .

serve in and through their local churches.
To be recognized as local church lay speakers, they must be recommended by their pastor and Church Council or Charge Conference, and complete the basic course for lay speaking. Each year they must reapply, reporting how they have served and continued to learn during that year.

Certified Lay Speakers . . .

serve in their own churches, in other churches, and through district or conference projects and programs.

To be recognized as certified lay speakers, they must be recommended by their pastor and Church Council or Charge Conference, complete the basic course and one advanced lay speaking course, and be interviewed by the District or Conference Committee on Lay Speaking. They must report and reapply annually; and they must complete at least one advanced course every three years.

To find out more about the lay speaking training, service, and support network in your area,
contact your

• Local church lay leader
• Pastor
  
• District director of lay speaking
• District lay leader
  
• District superintendent
  or
  
• Another lay speaker
  
  If the persons you ask don’t have answers to your questions, they will know where to find them.
  
  For additional copies of this brochure, contact:
  Lay Speaking Ministry
  P. O. Box 340003
  Nashville, TN 37203-0003
  Phone: 615-340-7059
  Toll-free: 877-899-2780, Ext. 7059
  E-mail: lwalker@gbod.org