Laity Sunday (October 19, 2008) -- One in Spirit, All in Ministry; In the Spirit of Fellowship
"If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." (I John 1:6-7, NRSV.)

Worship Resources for Laity Sunday (October 19, 2008)
One in Spirit, All in Ministry; In the Spirit of Fellowship

Certified Lay Minister (CLM) Resources Now Available
Certified Lay Ministry resources are now available to support the work of the certified lay minister (a new form of leadership in The United Methodist Church, authorized by the 2004 General Conference). These resources, developed through a partnership between staff at the General Boards of Discipleship and Higher Education and Ministry, are intended to prepare laity for assignments as pastoral leaders.

Certified Lay Minister (information pamphlet in pdf)
The Certified Lay Minister is a new lay position for pastoral leadership in The United Methodist Church authorized by the 2004 General Conference.

Communication Tools for Lay Members to Annual Conference
Lay members to annual conference are elected to represent a congregation in setting the conference's direction for mission and ministry. Each lay member will join other lay and clergy members in a time to worship God, learn about ministry God is calling the church to lead, set direction for the church, meet other United Methodists, and tend to administrative matters for ministry. The lay member has a responsibility to inform others in the local church about the experience. Here are some tools that will help.

Four Tools for Lay Leader Selection

Job Descriptions & Leadership Training for Local Church Leaders 2005-2008
By Thomas R. Hawkins (Discipleship Resources, 2004)
This packet of job descriptions and suggestions for leadership training is intended for pastors and laity who want to strengthen their congregation’s leaders. It begins with a look at the biblical and theological foundations for the development of a leadership development system.

Lay Speaking Ministries Downloadable Posters

On Greeting Persons With Disabilities: A Suggestion Manual for Ushers and Greeters
An understanding of the varied needs of persons with disabilities will help ushers and greeters become more comfortable in their jobs. This article answers the questions, "What is appropriate?" and "What do I do in case of an emergency?"

Preparing and Celebrating New Lay Leadership — Suggested Hymns and Prayers
(Please note: This article is a supplementary piece to "Preparing and Celebrating New Lay Leadership in the January 2005 issue of Interpreter magazine.)

The Retreat Leader's Manual: A Complete Guide to Organizing Meaningful Christian Retreat (available now from Discipleship Resources)
By Nancy Ferguson and Kevin Witt
The Retreat Leader’s Manual offers a practical guidebook for those leading retreats, including the nuts and bolts of how to plan a budget, the right questions to ask about a potential retreat site, and ideas for making Bible study and worship memorable for persons of many ages.

Robert's Rules of Order Motions Chart
Based on Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (10th Edition)
Prepared by Parliamentary Consultant Jim Slaughter

The Things I Learned at Annual Conference
(Report forms in pdf format)
Responsibilities of the lay members to annual conference include reporting and interpreting the actions and other information to the congregation. You may write a story for your church newsletter, make one or more presentations to the congregation during worship, report to the administrative council, or use a combination of these ways. Complete these forms as the conference progresses. There is one for each day. Then use your organized notes to prepare your report. (Forms courtesy of Mark Rehn, Communications Director, Western Pennsylvania Conference.)