Resources

 Resources

Book of Discipline References

Certified Lay Minister

General

¶ 205.4 Book of Discipline 2004 (Local Church)

"When a pastoral charge is not able to be served by an ordained or licensed minister, the Bishop, upon recommendation of the Cabinet, may assign a qualified and trained lay person, lay minister or lay missioner to do the work of ministry in that charge... The lay person assigned is also accountable to the policies and procedures of the annual conference where assigned."

¶ 272 Certified Lay Minister. In order to enhance the quality of ministry to small membership churches, expand team ministry in churches and in deference to an expression of gifts and evidence of God's grace associated with the lay ministry of early Methodism, the certified lay minister is to be recognized and utilized.

  1. The certified lay minister shall preach the Word, provide a care ministry to the congregation, assist in program leadership, and be a witness in the community for the growth, missional and connectional thrust of The United Methodist Church as part of a ministry team with the supervision and support of a clergy person.
  2. A certified lay speaker or a person with equivalent training as defined by his/her district or conference may be certified as a lay minister by the District Committee on Ordained Ministry after he/she has:

    • a) Been recommended by the pastor of the local church where he/she holds membership and by vote of the Church Council or Charge Conference.
    • b) Completed courses relevant to his/her assignment including preaching and exegesis, the care of the congregation, and other courses as recommended by the General Board of Discipleship and General Board of Higher Education and Ministry in consultation with leaders in the annual conference, and other appropriate Agencies and organizations.
    • c) Demonstrated appreciation of the history, polity, doctrine, worship and liturgy of The United Methodist Church through service in his/her local church.
    • d) Been recommended by the District Superintendent after completion of appropriate screening.
    • e) Made application in writing to the District Committee on Ordained Ministry.
    • f) Appeared before the District Committee on Ordained Ministry for review and approval.
  3. The certified lay minister is to apply in writing for re-certification bi-annually to the District Committee on Ordained Ministry upon:

    • a) Ministry Review by Church Council or Charge Conference from the congregation of which he/she is a member.
    • b) Satisfactory completion of an approved Continuing Education event, and
    • c) Recommendation of the District Superintendent
  4. The certified lay minister under assignment is to appear bi-annually before the District Committee on Ordained Ministry for re-certification after:

    • a) Ministry Review by Church Council or Charge Conference where assigned,
    • b) Satisfactory completion of an approved Continuing Education event, and
    • c) Recommendation of the District Superintendent.
  5. Transfer of Certification by Certified Lay Ministers. A certified lay minister who moves may transfer certification to the new district upon receipt of a letter from the previous district's Committee on Ordained Ministry confirming current certification.
  6. The certified lay minister is a layperson and as such is not eligible for support by equitable compensation funds or pension which are provided for clergy members. The local congregation is encouraged to provide appropriate compensation.

The Congregation

¶ 247.11. The charge conference shall inquire annually into the gifts, labors, and usefulness of the lay speakers and certified lay ministers related to the charge and recommend to the appropriate district and/or conference committee those persons who have met the standards set forth for a local church lay speaker and/or for certified lay speaker and certified lay minister (¶. 267-270, 272.)

The District Superintendent

¶ 419 The district superintendent shall oversee the total ministry of the clergy and of the churches in the communities of the district in their missions of witness and service in the world: (a) ... (b) ... (c) ... (d)...(e) ... (f) ... (g) by assigning persons such as certified lay ministers to churches who do not have appointed clergy...

¶ 420. Spiritual and Pastoral Leadership as follows:
  • The district superintendent is responsible for giving spiritual leadership to clergy and laity in the churches in the district . . . . 1. . . .
  • 2. To counsel with clergy, consecrated, commissioned and certified personnel, concerning matters affecting their ministry and personal life.
  • 3. To encourage the building of covenantal community among the clergy, consecrated, commissioned and certified personnel for mutual support and discipline; to build systems of mutual support for their families. 4. ... (Grammatical corrections; inclusion of word 'certified')

Supervision

¶ 421. 5 To make specific provision for the support and supervision of certified lay ministers or other laity assigned within the district.

(A new sub paragraph to ¶ 421.5)

Lay Speaking Ministries

Conference Committee on Lay Speaking Ministries ¶630.6 a) Every annual conference is encouraged to create a conference committee on Lay Speaking Ministries or other equivalent structure to fulfill the requirements of ¶¶ 267-269, 272……….

District Committee on Lay speaking Ministries

¶ 665.3 The responsibilities of a district committee on Lay Speaking Ministries are to provide basic training for local church lay speakers and advanced courses for certified lay speakers as recommended by the General Board of Discipleship, or as approved by the conference committee on Lay Speaking Ministries; to decide who will be recognized as certified lay speakers; to help match lay speakers and certified lay ministers with service opportunities; and to support and affirm lay speakers and certified lay ministers as they serve.

(Inclusion of certified lay ministers with existing lay groups)

District Committee on Ordained Ministry

¶663.10 The committee shall examine all persons who apply in writing to be certified as lay ministers. When there is evidence that their gifts, evidence of God's grace and usefulness warrant and that they are qualified under ¶271, and on recommendation of their charge conference, the committee shall recommend their certification or recertification.

The district committee shall report annually to the annual conference through the annual conference board of ordained ministry a roster of all persons certified as lay ministers.

Conference Board on Ordained Ministry

¶ 634.2 u) To report annually to the annual conference for publication in the conference journal a roster of all persons certified as Lay Ministers (may have been re-lettered for print in Book of Discipline 2008).

CLM Mentor

¶ 205.4 When a pastoral charge is not able to be served by an ordained or licensed minister, the Bishop, upon recommendation of the Cabinet, may assign a qualified and trained lay person, lay minister or lay missioner to do the work of ministry in that charge. The lay person is accountable to the district superintendent or another ordained or licensed minister appointed to the charge, who will make provision for sacramental ministry and provide guidance and mentoring to the lay person assigned.

General Board of Discipleship Ministry of the Laity

¶1117.6 Provide support to conference and district directors of Lay Speaking Ministries and to conference and district committees on Lay Speaking Ministries. In consultation with the conference directors, set standards for local church, certified lay speakers and certified lay ministers and provide teaching resources for use by annual conference and district committees.



Questions for Candidates for Certified Lay Minister

The first set should be asked by the Charge Conference when it recommends someone as a CLM.  These questions should be the same questions the S/PRC would ask of any candidate for ordained or licensed ministry.  These questions can be found on P. 91 of The Christian as Minister.

Wesley's Questions for Examiners

  1. Do they know God? Have they the love of God abiding in them? Do they desire nothing but God? Are they holy in all manner of conversation?
  2. Have they gifts, as well as evidence of God's grace, for the work? Have they a clear, sound understanding; a right judgment in the things of God; a just conception of salvation by faith? Do they speak justly, readily, clearly?
  3. Have they fruit? Have any been truly convinced of sin and converted to God, and are believers edified by their service?

As long as these marks occur in them, we believe they are called of God to serve. These we receive as sufficient proof that they are moved by the Holy Spirit. (¶ 310, 2004 Book of Discipline)

Once a person has been assigned as a CLM, has completed the basic training, and is coming before the DCOM for certification as a CLM, some of the same questions can be asked along with specific questions concerning the person's effectiveness in ministry.  This list could include the following:

  • How have you experienced the presence of God in your ministry?
  • How would you describe your understanding of God, Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit?
  • Do you see your work as a certified lay minister as a calling from God?
  • What gifts, skills, and abilities do you bring to certified lay ministry?
  • Describe the covenant for ministry you have for ministry in your setting?
  • Is this covenant carried out in partnership with a ministry team?
  • What is your role in meeting the sacramental needs of the congregation?
  • What have been your greatest accomplishments as a pastoral leader?
  • Where does your ministry need to be strengthened?
  • What are your plans for ongoing education to maintain your effectiveness in ministry?


CLM Brochure PDF Download

CLM Certification Checklist PDF Download


CLM Materials from Annual Conferences

Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference

Central Pennsylvania Annual Conference
Grand Traverse District, Michigan

Stories from CLMs

Why I became a Certified Lay Minister
Jada D. L. Hodgson, Kansas East
Assignment: Princeton & Union Chapel
Parker, Kansas

Jada is a committed layperson living out her discipleship by serving 2 small churches as a certified Lay Minister in the Kansas East Conference. Active in the former Conference Commission on the Small Church, she has a legal background and brings her gifts and abilities to ministry.

This is her story:

"Certified Lay Minister is a ministry category created at the 2004 General Conference. The ministry was created to enhance the quality of ministry in small membership churches and to recognize the ministry gifts of laity. We are in no way seeking to replace or compete with Elders. Certified Lay Minister was created to fill (a void) within the church not to take away from an ongoing ministry. There is plenty of work in the United Methodist Church for all of us to do!

Certified Lay Ministers are to preach, provide a care ministry, assist in program leadership, and be a witness in the community. We serve churches as pastoral leaders, restricted only from offering the sacraments [and performing weddings1].

The Board of Professional Ministry had to quickly figure out what to do with a Certified Lay Minister, because, as soon as I got my 2004 Book of Discipline, I sent a letter to my District Committee on Ministry making an application. They responded quickly and graciously. It has been an education so far. And there is curriculum and support out of Nashville.

I was assigned to Princeton and Union Chapel in October 2004. I have stories on these people and they have stories on me that we have agreed not to tell you. I am a layperson. This allows me to interact with the laity of my congregation naturally, yet they still respect and honor my pastoral role and authority. It has been a good match.

I encourage Commissioned Lay Speakers2 who are called to pastoral ministry but not to ordained ministry to consider becoming Certified Lay Ministers. May God bless you as you respond to God's call whatever it may be!"

Notes:

  1. Weddings and funerals are subject to the laws of the state in which you reside. CLMs should consult with their DS on limits of their service as defined by the Conference leadership.
  2. Commissioned Lay Speakers are a special program in the Kansas East Annual Conference. These laity have completed an advanced coursework designed for those who were serving as laity assigned to small congregations in the past.

 

Conference to Certify "Lay Ministers"
By Jan Woodard, Staff Writer

Since the time of John Wesley, lay people have played significant ministry roles in Methodism. General Conference 2004 designed the unique position of certified lay minister (CLM) in recognition of the historic role of lay pastors in the denomination.

It was left to each conference to customize the position to the needs of churches within its borders. Following that lead, the WPA Certified Lay Minister Task Force has prepared a report on lay ministry for the Western Pennsylvania Conference.

Indiana District Superintendent Sharon Schwab said the CLMs may serve small congregations as pastors but without sacramental rights; work in cooperative ministries; or serve large churches with oversight by ordained elders. "We will use lay ministers to fill pulpits where there is no pastor to do that," she said.

The Rev. Pat Nelson of Somerset First UMC, task force member, said the report will appear in the Pre-Conference Journal and will be available through district superintendents. Individuals interested in serving as CLMs will have steps to complete before becoming credentialed. The opening paragraph of the Task Force report, taken from ¶ 272 of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church explains the reasoning for the creation of the official position of certified lay ministers: "In order to enhance the quality of ministry to small membership churches, expand team ministry in churches and in deference to an expression of gifts and evidence of God's grace associated with the lay ministry of early Methodism, the certified lay minister is to be recognized and utilized."

The General Board of Discipleship and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry give general guidelines on components that are required by ¶ 272.

CLMs will be trained, supported, supervised, and held accountable in an ongoing process over the years they serve. To become certified, individuals will be asked to obtain support from their local church, have clearances and safe sanctuary training, be recommended by their district superintendent and completed at least a basic lay speaking course. "We'll expect people to go through their district committees and BOOM (Board of Ordained Ministry)," Nelson said.

Schwab said initially CLMs will complete a brief study on Preaching and Exegesis, Christian Education, Congregational Care, United Methodist Polity, Conflict Resolution and Congregational Dynamics, Leading and Planning Worship.

Timely re-certification and ongoing continuing education also will be required. Please read the report for complete details. CLMs will replace the HDS (hired by district superintendent) category, Nelson said. "It will be interesting to see how many people will want to do this."

The program will be coordinated by a joint committee of the Board of Ordained Ministry, Lay Ministry, and the Small Membership Church Task Force, (the three groups that have served on the task force,) with District Committees on Ordained Ministry also playing an important role. The Task Force report appears in the Pre-Conference Journal and will be distributed at the clergy sessions at Annual Conference.


CLM Powerpoint Presentation

For use in your church or conference as an aid in explaining the theological background, coursework, certification process, conference responsibilities, reasons for, and Book of Disipline references to Certified Lay Ministry.

Download Powerpoint Presentation


CLM Service of Recognition (PDF Download) 

 

Interested in reprinting this item? Please read Copyrights & Permissions