LAY SERVANT MINISTRIES Q&A GREAT PLAINS ANNUAL CONFERENCE This document features answers to some of the most-often-asked questions about Lay Servant Ministries. This was compiled by Dave Wasserfallen, a lay servant from Wellsville United Methodist Church in the Five Rivers District in Kansas. 1) What is a Lay Servant? It is said that when John Wesley was asked to evaluate (or assess) a particular congregation, he asked three questions: a) Have they faith? b) Have they fire? and c) Have they fruit? A Lay Servant is a member of the laity of the church who, through their personal faith journey, has acquired faith, has encountered the fire of the Spirit, and wants to bear fruit in other words, a person who has heard and responded (or is responding) to the call of God to a larger role in the life and ministry of the church. 2) What does a Lay Servant do? A Lay Servant accepts the call to step forward in guiding and helping the church further its ministries to the world. He or she becomes one of the leaders in implementing the church s directive to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. In doing so, the Lay Servant s actual activities may encompass a great range of things, from teaching a Bible study, serving at the local food pantry, visiting the sick or shut-ins or at the nursing home, raising funds for disaster relief or some other mission activity, going to serve with a disaster relief team, serving on a District or Conference committee or board and so forth. A Lay Servant s activities may vary greatly according to the gifts and graces of each Lay Servant, and according to the particular call that that person hears, but they will all align with the church s mission in the world. 3) How does one become a Lay Servant? One steps up and answers the call that they hear. The initial step is to have a discussion with one s local pastor, who can offer guidance along the path to becoming an LSM. One must be an active member of a local congregation and be approved by the pastor and either the Church Council or Charge Conference of that congregation, and their District Superintendent. 4) What is required to become a Lay Servant?
First, one must become equipped this will necessitate some learning experiences depending on the various stage of LSM that an individual elects. Second, as one settles into their new role, one must be accountable to the church in the form of the District and Conference LSM committee. This will involve filing an annual report of one s activities as an LSM, and in maintaining one s educational status. Maintaining one s educational status will involve taking either a refresher course or an advanced course at least every three years depending on the stage one elects (see below). It is also necessary to keep one s local pastor apprised of one s activities. 5) So what are these various stages of Lay Servant ministry? There are four stages, or levels, of Lay Servant activity. They are progressive one begins with the local stage and progresses as far along the path to which one feels called. They are: 1) Local Lay Servant (requires basic instruction and serves in the local congregation only); 2) Certified Lay Servant (requires an advanced class and serves the local congregation and beyond in the local District or Conference level activities and/or assists in other local congregations upon request of that congregation.) 3) Lay Speaker (has additional training to lead in worship, including conducting a worship service and preaching). 4) Certified Lay Minister (has extensive training to allow the LSM to serve a congregation as what s called a District Superintendent Assignment. This position is essentially a lay pastor function under the care and guidance of a supervising pastor.) 6) Sounds complicated. Is all this spelled out anywhere? Yes, of course. The United Methodist Book of Discipline has detailed information for each of the stages and activities mentioned above. (See Question 29 below for the appropriate excerpts from the Book of Discipline and a table showing how the requirements apply in each stage.) Also, your local pastor or the District Coordinator of LSM can answer such questions as they arise. 7) So if I become a Lay Servant what will I need to do?
Once you have become a Lay Servant, you will need to file an annual report (the form is available elsewhere on the Conference website or from your District Co-coordinator) and maintain your education by taking a refresher course (Local L.S.) or an Advanced class (Certified L.S. or Lay Speaker) at least every three years. The requirements for Certified Lay Minister are somewhat more complicated and will be discussed below in another question. 8) What does this annual report involve and where does it go? The LSM Annual Report is a way to maintain currency as an LSM. It discusses what activities you have been involved in during the previous year, what educational opportunities you have pursued, and what needs you see that the LSM program can provide to help you in your service. It serves as the annual confirmation of your status. Once completed, it needs to be signed by your local pastor, the chair of your local Church Council or Charge Conference, the District Superintendent and the chair of the District Committee on LSM. 9) Is this report required every year? What if I forget to file one? You will be contacted by your District Coordinator and your status will be held until the report is received. If it is not received within a reasonable timeframe, you will be placed on inactive status. 10) Inactive status? What s that? Inactive status means that you are not currently functioning as an LSM pending completion of some requirement such as either the annual report or a continuing education requirement. Inactive status can also be requested by an LSM if for some reason they wish to take some time to deal with other matters, such as personal illnesses, care for other dependents or simply need some time to pursue their own faith journey. 11) So if I get sick and need some time to recover, I can request to be placed on Inactive? How? You would contact your District Coordinator of LSM who would take the request to the District Committee on LSM. 12) The District Committee on LSM? What s that? How does it work? The District LSM Committee is the committee that has oversight of all LSMs in that district. It typically consists of the District Coordinator of LSM, the District Superintendent and the District Lay Leader, and any others as may be needed. Basically, it reviews the annual reports to see what services and mission opportunities are being pursued by the LSMs in
that district; what things the LSMs see as being needed to help them in their mission; and to ensure the continuing education of each LSM. The District LSM committee is the support structure for the individual LSM. 13) So how do I meet the continuing education requirement? The various districts in your area take turns in hosting a seminar quarterly that offer the basic course and one or more advanced courses. These seminars are posted to the conference website as they are scheduled and are also listed in the LSM Newsletter. 14) What happens if I forget or am too busy to get to a seminar? Or if there isn t one close to me? How can I get the class I need? Typically these seminars are scheduled on a quarterly basis so either your district or one close by will have them throughout the year. Also, you will be advised in that third year if you haven t had a class before then. Please note that these seminars are open to any interested Lay person, not just LSMs. There also are some courses offered online. 15) But if I can t get to a class? What happens then? You will be placed on inactive status by the District Committee until you have taken the class and are current with an annual report. 16) How would I return to active status? You would take an Advanced class (if a Certified L.S. or Lay Speaker) or refresher (if a Local L.S.) and advise your District Coordinator. Also, an annual report for that year will be needed. 17) Ok, but I ve bid on another job at work and it would involve a move to another state what happens to my LSM? If you need to move to another district or even another conference for job-related or whatever other reasons, you can request the District Committee to transfer your records to the district or conference where you are going. Once the move is complete, you should check with the District Coordinator of that district to make sure they have been received. Please be aware that you need to make the initial request. The district will not be aware of the need for the transfer unless you tell them.
18) So the difference between a Local Lay Servant and a Certified Lay Servant is simply that the Local serves only their own congregation and the Certified can serve in District or Conference positions as well? Correct. 19) Then what is the Certified Lay Minister? A Certified Lay Minister (CLM) is a person called to more active and involved ministry. The positon requires more extensive training plus an examination by the District Committee on Ordained Ministry under whose care the CLM operates. 20) District Committee on Ordained Ministry? But I don t want to be ordained. How does that work? The District Committee on Ordained Ministry s (DCOM) primary function is to guide, support and supervise ministerial candidates, but they also have responsibility for CLMs. This committee is separate from the District Lay Servant Ministry and consists of different people. The District Superintendent is, however, a member of both committees. 21) So I don t have to be ordained? No, the CLM is a lay status and, if agreeable, serves a small membership church or in a specialized ministry in a larger church under a supervising pastor. They serve as a District Superintendent Assignment. Since, as a District Superintendent Assignment, the CLM is functioning as a leader of a congregation, this is to be a paid position the details of which are to be arranged between the CLM and the Staff/Parish Relations Committee of the congregation (with the District Superintendent s advice and consent). There will also need to be negotiated an agreement as to what duties the CLM is to perform. While a large part of the conditions that apply to a clergy person do not apply to a DSA, some do. 22) So what are these conditions? Since the CLM is in direct contact with the laity of a congregation, once they have completed the educational requirements and have accepted the District Superintendent s assignment, they are required to meet annually with the District Committee on Ordained Ministry, maintain a current Safe Gatherings certificate, pass a background check and a psychological assessment. 23) What is this extensive training?
It is a set of classes that provide the CLM candidate with needed information on the Old and New Testaments, Mission and Social Concerns, Leadership and Administration, Pastoral Care, Preaching, Evangelism, Theology and Doctrine and so forth. The complete list is on the Great Plains website at www.greatplainsumc.org/clm. There is also contact information there for further questions. 24) Where can I get more information about the Certified Lay Minister? I d begin with the information on the Great Plains Conference website and then talk to your local pastor. Your District Superintendent and District Coordinator of Lay Servant Ministries can also help. Go to www.greatplainsumc.org/clm. There is a considerable amount of information available there. 25) How long does this training take and how much does it cost? You should plan on at least three years to complete the training. Costs for each of the classes are due prior to beginning the class and typically run about $75.00 per class. There are ten classes listed on the Conference website so the total tuition will amount to about $750, plus the cost of the books needed for each class. The book costs vary according to each class. 26) So am I still a Lay Servant while I m taking these classes? If you continue to file an annual report, the CLM classes will fulfill the educational requirements, so yes you will retain your LSM status. It is recommended that you complete certified status before beginning the path to CLM however. 27) Then when do I get involved with the DCOM? Upon completion of the educational requirements (or during the course of your last class) you will need to request an interview with the DCOM and complete the paperwork (Form 5) to schedule the psychological assessment and background check. There is a $200 fee for the background check and psychological assessment. Once you ve completed the interview with the DCOM and have the results from the psychological assessment and background check, the DCOM will vote to approve (or decline) your request. This typically occurs at the time of your interview, so the background check and psychological assessment need to be completed prior to scheduling the interview. While serving as a DSA, you will be subject to the DCOM as your supervising body as well as the senior clergy person who is your supervising pastor and the District Superintendent of your district.
28) Then once I become a CLM I don t report to the Lay Servant Committee anymore? CLMs are under the direct supervision of their supervising pastor, the District Superintendent and the DCOM for so long as they remain active as a CLM, however they are encouraged, as a courtesy, to continue to file a biannual report so as to keep the LSM committee advised of what ministry opportunities the CLM is pursuing, and as to what support the CLM feels is needed. This will also allow them to maintain currency with the LSM District Committee and to revert to Certified (or Lay Speaker) status should they so desire. 29) Earlier you mentioned the Book of Discipline what s that and what does it do? The Book of Discipline is the set of guidelines published after each General Conference (every four years). It sets the rules for each aspect of the church and mission of the United Methodist Church as a whole. It describes the roles and responsibilities of each aspect of the church, for both the laity to the clergy, including each local congregation, and how each is organized. 30) So what does it say about Lay Servant Ministry, and where can I find a copy? Lay Servant Ministry is covered in several sections, which are listed below. Your local church should have a copy, or your local pastor. Local Lay Servant Ministry is discussed in the Book of Discipline in paragraphs 266-267, Certified Lay Servant in paragraph 268, the Conference Committee on LSM in paragraph 631.6 and the District Committee on LSM in paragraph 668. Support for LSM is discussed in paragraph 1116.6.