2012 book of discipline lay speaker

How book of discipline comes to be united methodist. The book editor, the secretary of the general conference, the publisher of the united methodist church, and the committee on correlation and editorial revision shall be charged with editing the book of discipline. Lay servant ministry levels of recognition contact information available forms new lay speakers. From the january 2018 issue of the missouri methodists. To become a lay speaker, you must complete the following requirements. The book of discipline of the united methodist church 2016. The 2016 general conference has voted to eliminate the local church lay servant level of recognition. Lay servants indiana district lay servant ministries. Purposethe church council shall provide for planning and implementing a program of nurture, outreach, witness, and resources in the local church. Virginia conference of the united methodist church board of. The 2012 book of discipline is available in print, but the electronic version is not yet available.

All had previously been certified as lay speakers, but the 2012 book of discipline changed the requirement for lay speaking. Preaching this course is required for certification as a lay speaker. It was originally published in 1784, in the methodist episcopal church, and has been published every four years thereafter following the meeting of the general conference, which passes legislation that is included in the book of discipline. It follows similar works for its predecessor denominations. Lay speakers use their witness, leadership, and service to inspire others to a deeper commitment to christ and more effective discipleship. Technically, a lay speaker is a member of a local church who is ready to serve the church. Oh, yes, theres also the certified lay minister program, usually for laity assigned by the ds to pastor a small church. Check out the list of indiana district lay speakers who have met the requirements defined in 2012 united methodist book of discipline. So the minnesota conferences laity action team, which is in the process of reshaping lay servant ministry training, decided to offer the training through a single weekend retreat rather than expecting people to take. Cokesbury has now made available a free online edition of the book of discipline, 2016 edition, limited to view and search capabilities. The basic unit in the book of discipline is the paragraph rather. Lay speaker level has been renamed to certified lay speaker as it was before, and the 2012 discipline requirements retained.

The role of lay speaker was created at the 2012 general conference to foster excellence, insure quality, provide accountability, and retain the heritage of those laity called to provide pulpit supply. Visit cokesbury now to read the full free version today. This includes the interpretation of scriptures, doctrine, organization, and ministries of. There were several proposed legislative petitions addressing paragraphs 266271 of the book of discipline submitted to the 2016 general conference by the discipleship ministries board of directors. Lay servant ministries the foothills district of the west. A lay speaker is a position in the united methodist church for the laity. The lay servant ministries are covered by paragraphs 266269 of the umc book of discipline and fall under the general board of discipleship gbod. Lay servants are to serve the local church or charge in any way in which their witness or leadership and service inspires the laity to deeper commitment to christ and more effective discipleship. Discipline requires that lay members of annual conference be professing members of the united methodist church for two years preceding their election and active participants in the united methodist church for at least four years before their election 602. Generally, lay speakers are leaders in the united methodist church on local, district, and conference levels. The book of discipline constitutes the law and doctrine of the united methodist church. Lay speaker west ohio conference of the united methodist. Application for designation as a lay speaker north texas conference lay servant ministries 2012 book of discipline 266. A lay speaker local church or certified is a professing member of a local church or charge.

This may include interpretation of the scripture, doctrine, organization and ministries of the church, as identified in paragraph 266 of the discipline. The 2012 book of discipline describes all of this in par. A lay speaker is called and equipped to serve the church in pulpit supply in accordance with the 2012 book of discipline paragraph 341. The forms are available from your district director. Brothers and sisters, we gather here today to recognize those persons. Lay servants receive specialized training and provide support for clergy as well as serving in their local church or beyond.

Application for certification as lay speaker final. Certified lay ministers united methodist church of. The book of discipline of the united methodist church 2012 kindle edition by house, united methodist publishing. Called and trained laity engaging, equipping and empowering. Go to the 2012 general conference website to call up all of the petitions and see how they were handled. The program weve known as lay speaking is very much alive and well, actually. Robbie scott at the district office for more information. The book of discipline of the united methodist church is the product of over two hundred years of the general conferences of the denominations that now form the united methodist church. The book editor, the secretary of the general conference, the publisher of the united methodist church and the committee on correlation and editorial revision shall be charged with editing the book of discipline. 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 district andor conference committee on lay speaking those persons who have met the standards set forth for a local church lay speaker andor for certified lay speaker and.

Lay leaders are voting members of all the aforementioned committees. In the coming months, there will be many opportunities for interested laity to better understand these changes, including the laity session at annual conference in june and the annual school of lay ministries solm this summer. The 2012 book of discipline is a good source for learning more about the requirements and the structure of lay speaking ministries. Book of discipline north texas conference lay speakers. Be available to fill in when needed with visitations, homes of firsttime visitors, new. Discipleship ministries lay servant ministries proposed. It is an instrument through which the polity, plan, process and laws guide and govern united methodists. Although there is a problem with providing the latest book of discipline on cd rom, cokesbury will provide free web access until the publication of the 2016 journal. The book of discipline sets forth the plan by which we united methodists govern ourselves. Other conferences had made similar changes, and a groundswell of support went forward to changing our title in the united methodist book of discipline 2012. Melissa malcolm, certified lay minister certified lay servant lay speaker training courses 2. Lay servant ministries board of laity nc conference. Servant ministries can be found in paragraphs 266 through 271 in section xi.

Remember the reporting year runs from july 1, 2018 june 30, 2019. The foothills district offers a variety of courses basic, basic refresher, advanced and lay speaker required courses allowing ample opportunities to take the classes in this region for certification. Lay servant ministries the ohio river valley district of. The book of discipline 2012, part ii by abingdon press issuu. Be an active certified lay servant or a certified lay speaker. Ac lay servant guidelines florida annual conference. Be a professing and active member of a local churchcharge. Role of lay speaker in the missouri conference see paragraph 266 book of discipline, 2016 the 2012 bod added provisions for a new role for those additional equipped and examined, i. The book of discipline explained amazon web services. The 2012 bod added provisions for a new role for those. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the book of discipline of the united methodist church 2012. Polity this course can be used for certification as a lay servant. Lay servants are to serve the local church in any way in which their witness or leadership and service inspires the laity to deeper commitment to christ and more effective discipleship, including the interpretation of the scriptures, doctrine, organization and ministries of the church.

Virginia conference of the united methodist church board. A certified lay speaker serves by preaching the word when requested by the pastor, district superintendent, or. See the book of discipline 2012 266269 concerning the distinction between local church lay servants, certified lay servants, lay speakers, certified lay. Lay leaders are encouraged to become certified lay servants. The paragraph permits pastors to select and train laypersons to take communion to those who are unable to be present for the congregations sharing of the bread and cup. The certified lay servant level and requirements have been retained. The book of discipline 2012 index by abingdon press issuu.

View the latest updates to the 2016 book of discipline. Replace director of lay speaking ministries with director of lay servant ministries. Applicants must be active in the support of the local church paragraph 266 of the discipline. See the book of discipline 2012 266269 concerning the distinction between local church lay servants, certified lay servants, lay speakers, certified lay speakers, and other provisions concerning lay servant ministry. You are encouraged to read paragraphs 267, 268, and 269 to assist you in making a decision to become a lay speaker. The role of lay speaker was created at the 2012 general conference to foster excellence, insure quality, provide accountability, and retain the. In order to become a certified lay speaker cls, you must. As soon as 2012 becomes available from the publishing house, we will update this web page. A certified lay minister is a certified lay servant, certified lay missioner or equivalent as defined by his or her central conference, who is called and equipped to conduct public worship, care for the congregation, assist in program leadership, develop new and existing faith communities, preach the word, lead small groups, or establish. This order may be used at a district conference or another service of public worship, the district superintendent or a representative of the district committee on lay servant ministry presiding. This course is required for certification as a lay speaker. Discipleship ministries extending your congregations. The book of discipline of the united methodist church 2012. Called and trained laity engaging, equipping and empowering a resource for local church lay leaders of the virginia conference center for lay leadership excellence virginia conference of the united methodist church po box 5606 glen allen va 23058.

You will learn about the ministry of the baptized, 1 peter 2. Begin or renew my lay servant status as a certified lay speaker. That program is the same as before, administered by the district committee on ordained ministry. In the popular video ministry, chuck knows church chuck talks about lay servant. The editors, in the exercise of their judgment, shall have the authority to make changes in wording. A lay speaker is called and equipped to serve the church in pulpit supply in accordance with 341. Basic courses require a book of discipline and a book of. A pastors general guide to lay servant ministry mountain sky. Lay speaking provides an opportunity and channel for dedicated christians to serve in a special way in their congregations. The conference lay leader shall ensure that the annual conference has a conference director of lay speaking ministries filled in. According to the book of discipline 2012 of the united methodist church lay. Role of lay speaker in the missouri conference see paragraph 266 book of discipline, 2016. Certification process for lay speakers board of laity background paragraph 266.

All of these paragraphs dealt with lay servants, lay speakers, lay missioners and certified lay ministers. Lay speaking ministries the united methodist book of discipline the book of discipline has been compiled through 200 years of general conferences of the denominations that joined together to form the united methodist church. In order to be considered for the position of lay speaker, the candidate must be a certified lay servant in good standing with the local charge conference and district committee on lsm. The discipline as the instrument for setting forth the laws, plan, polity, and process by which united methodists govern themselves remains constant. Extending your congregations communion table to those unable to be present the 2012 book of discipline contains a paragraph that may be easily overlooked. Lay speakerservant class descriptions basic a the first class needed to become a certified lay speakerservant 5 hours of 10 hours this class includes sessions one, two, and a brief history of lay speaking from the lay speaking ministries basic course participants book. The united methodist church book of discipline outlines responsibilities for lay leaders, but that is the easy answer. The book of discipline of the united methodist church. Local lay servants, certified lay servants and lay speakers need to file a report at charge conference each year. Lay speaker west ohio conference of the united methodist church.

It reflects our understanding of the church and of what is expected of its laity and clergy as they seek to be effective witnesses in the world as a part of the whole body of christ. May 12, 2012 spring 2012 lay speakerservant school. The discipline of the united methodist church is the product of over 200 years of the general conferences of the denominations that now form the united methodist church. Book of discipline west ohio conference of the united. How can a lay leader be prepared to fill in on a moments notice.

Lay speakers are everyday people who want to use their godgiven gifts, their educational and vocational skills to actively live out their call to ministry and mission. It shall also provide for the administration of its organization and temporal life. Is an extension of the historic role of laity in the methodist environment. Complete a lay servant ministries initial application to become a lay speaker. Lay servant ministries missouri conference of the umc. Participation in disciplined groups such as covenant discipleship groups or class meetings is an expected part of personal mission involvement. As set forth in the book of discipline, successful candidates must have completed the basic course.

The book of discipline of the united methodist church 2012 by. All versions of the book of discipline and the book of resolutions will be available the first week in january. Lay servant ministries levels of recognition according to the 2012 book of discipline and the changes adopted at the 2016 general conference. Is trained, supported, supervised and accountable for leadership in hisher context. The role of lay speaker was created at the 2012 general. Role of lay speaker, who are especially ready to serve in the function of pulpit supply. Lay speaker servant class descriptions basic a the first class needed to become a certified lay speaker servant 5 hours of 10 hours this class includes sessions one, two, and a brief history of lay speaking from the lay speaking ministries basic course participants book. Training equips 32 minnesota ums to preach as lay speakers.

See the book of discipline 2012 266269 concerning the distinction between local church lay servants, certified lay servants, lay speakers. Lay servant ministries legislation adopted at 2016 general conference. Certified lay speaker status is required before pursuing the new certified lay minister process. The book of discipline 2016 free edition the northwest. The lay leader is a member of the charge conference, the church council, the pastorparish or staffparish relations committee, the finance committee, and the nominations and leadership development committee. The first major change and adjustment for everybody pastors and laity combined is to understand the change in name and focus of what was previously known as lay speaking ministry. Spring 2012 lay speakerservant school summary powered by. If you are a local church lay leader, the book of discipline recommends that all lay leaders become lay speakers. Without churchwide offerings 264265 lay servant ministries.