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How do Certified Lay Ministers Work with a Ministry Team?

There are a variety of ministers — all called to Christian service.

A Certified Lay Minister (CLM) is not ordained or licensed clergy under appointment of the bishop. A CLM is a lay person certified for intentional leadership and assigned by the bishop or district superintendent to a congregation. He or she does not replace clergy — but rather, works with clergy so that the congregation has the pastoral leadership necessary for vital mission and ministry. Unlike other forms of leadership, a CLM must be part of a ministry team.

Forming the Ministry Team

A CLM serves as part of a ministry team that should include the district superintendent as well as a clergyperson assigned to guide the CLM (the "CLM Mentor"), and a smaller group of 3-5 people in the local church referred to as a "Mutual Ministry Team." Together these people form the support necessary for the CLM to be effective in ministry. They are partners in ministry.

More information on the CLM Mentor

The mutual ministry team will accompany the CLM on this journey by reviewing learning either by module review or reviewing course descriptions and goals from other venues.  The team will provide input to the CLM Mentor and the CLM on the progress it sees and will provide feedback on areas that may need further development.

This team is able to provide real time feedback and input on effectiveness since it is a part of the congregation (other than the district superintendent and mentor).

The mutual ministry team develops the ministry covenant together to assure that there is a clear understanding of the expectations of the CLM and other members of the mutual ministry team.

The content of the ministry covenant captures the important details and basics that guide the ministry in that place. It covers areas such as:

• A short mission statement or description of the congregation and the purpose or role of the CLM,
• The congregation’s ministry plan,
• The financial responsibilities to the CLM,
• Ministry assessment and evaluation, and
• The covenant guides the ministry of the church, not just those in ministry!

For more information on the ministry covenant see Module One of the Certified Lay Minister Resource, Discipleship Resources.

District and Conference Responsibilities

District Role

The District Committee on Ministry is the group given responsibility for certification of a Lay Minister. It is the committee's responsibility to see that:

• It understands Certified Lay Ministry and its distinct relational ministry in the church. The DCOM must understand that it does not approve a ministry candidate in the traditional sense or ensure that the CLM knows everything about ministry before certification. Instead, the DCOM is a monitoring group to support the formation, training, supervision and accountability of the CLM.
  
  
• The person seeking to be a CLM understands the role and responsibility. An overview of the process should be given.
  
  
• Proper screening and background checks -- if required by the conference -- are completed.
  
  
• An interview is scheduled with the CLM (and the CLM Mentor) to discuss call to ministry, completing coursework, and to recommend additional formation.
  
  
• As coursework is completed, the DCOM meets with the CLM and the ministry team to certify that requirements are being met.

In addition, the district committee on ministry has the responsibility to report annually to the annual conference through the annual conference board of ordained ministry a roster of all persons certified as lay ministers.

Conference Role

Conference leaders can either build or block the effectiveness of a CLM. It is crucial that the Board of Laity and Board of Ministry work together to provide consistent criteria for formation and use of certified lay ministry. These groups should meet and have conversations around these issues regularly. They may also plan recognitions and provide ministry interpretations so that individuals hear and respond faithfully to God's call to ministry.

These groups have a vital supportive role in the training and recognition of CLMs by collaborating in developing a conference policy and practice. They are responsible for support, not certification.

The conference board of ordained ministry has the responsibility to report annually to the annual conference for publication in the conference journal a roster of all persons certified as Lay Ministers.

The bishop and cabinet have responsibility for assigning a CLM to a place of service. It is their work with a local congregation to discern appropriate pastoral leadership that makes it possible for a CLM to serve where assigned.

Each conference will be encouraged to have a "conference coordinator" to:

• Ensure quality training/formation
• Process is followed
• Covenant is supported
• Material is accessible and affordable
• CLMs are recognized and used
• Team approach is valued

Additional materials developed by various annual conferences are offered in the Resource section of this website.