The Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church
Lay Servant Ministries Procedures
March 14, 2013
1. Local Lay Servant (LLS): This process is unchanged from the former local church lay speaker
process. The LLS will serve primarily in the local congregation.
A. Requirements:
1. Pastor and charge conference approval,
2. Completion of the Basic Lay Servant Ministries Course,
3. Request recognition as a LLS via the Lay Servant’s annual report
through the local church charge conference annually,
4. Complete a minimum of one refresher course of instruction every
three years. These refresher courses should be different courses each recertification
cycle in order for the candidate to explore all facets of ministry within the United
Methodist Church.
2. Certified Lay Servant (CLS): This process is unchanged from the former certified lay speaker
process. The CLS serves in the local church and beyond.
A. Requirements:
1. Be recognized as an LLS,
2. Complete at least one advanced lay servant course of instruction,
3. Request recognition as a CLS via the Lay Servant’s annual report,
through the local church charge conference annually.
B. Recertification:
1. Complete a minimum of one advanced Lay Servant Ministries course of instruction
every three years to continue to be recognized as a CLS. Recertification courses should
be different courses each recertification cycle in order for the candidate to explore all
facets of ministry within the United Methodist Church,
2. Request recognition as a CLS via the Lay Servant’s annual report
through the local church charge conference annually.
3. Lay Speakers: This is a new ministry within the Lay Servant Program.
Lay Speakers must be a CLS and complete a more rigorous training track. The Lay Speaker must
be recommended to the Conference Committee on Lay Servant Ministries by the District
Committee on Lay Servant Ministries. These lay servants have responded to a specific calling to
be sent to preach in local churches as directed by the District Director of Lay Servant Ministries
or the District Superintendent (pulpit supply).
A. Requirements:
1. Be a CLS,
2. Pastor and charge conference approval,
3. Complete the required courses for Lay Speaker;
a. Discovering Spiritual Gifts,
b. Leading Prayer,
c. Preaching,
d. Living Our United Methodist Beliefs (UM Heritage),
e. Leading Worship,
f. Life Together in the United Methodist Connection (UM Polity).
4. Request recognition as a Lay Speaker via the Lay Servant’s annual report,
5. As further stated in the Book of Discipline the Lay Speaker is a volunteer and serves
without compensation.
A variety of courses both on and off line may be used to meet these course requirements. Approval
must be granted by the District Director of Lay Servant Ministries prior to taking a substitute course.
The candidate will also interview with the District Committee on Lay Servant Ministries – which will
include an evaluation (sample) sermon.
B. Recertification as a Lay Speaker:
1. Complete one advanced course of instruction every three years. Recertification courses
should be different courses each recertification cycle in order for the candidate to
explore all facets of ministry within the United Methodist Church.
2. Interview with the District Committee on Lay Servant Ministries every three years,
including an evaluation (sample) sermon.
3. Request continuation as a Lay Speaker via the Lay Servant’s annual report
4. Interim Lay Speaker: In The Virginia Conference it is our intent to recognize the
service of previous Certified Lay Speakers who have served in the capacity of pulpit supply.
A. In order to receive an Interim Certification the candidate must:
1. Have been recommended for continuation as a Certified Lay Speaker for at least three
years by their Charge Conference,
2. Document previous completion of at least two of the six required advanced Lay Servant
Ministries courses,
3. Have completed an evaluation (sample) sermon before the District Committee on Lay
Servant Ministries
B. For continuation as a Lay Speaker the Interim Lay Speaker must:
1. Complete the remaining required advanced lay servant courses, or document
prior completion, within three years of the Interim recognition,
2. Upon completion of the three year cycle the Interim Lay Speaker will again
present an evaluation (sample) sermon before the District Committee of Lay Servant
Ministries, and
3. Request continuation as a Lay Speaker via the Lay Servant’s annual report.
C. This Interim Certification will only be recognized during the remainder of the current
quadrennial cycle.
6. The District Committee of Lay Servant Ministries will consist of the District Director of Lay
Servant Ministries, one Elder in the United Methodist Church, and one Lay Speaker. It is not
required that the Elder be a standing member of the committee. At the request of the
District Director an Elder will be appointed to support the committee for the purpose of
evaluating the ability of the candidate to serve in the capacity of a Lay Speaker. Until we
actually have Lay Speakers to serve on the Committee it is requested that two Elders be
appointed, upon request, to assist in the evaluation process.
7. If a candidate is not approved to become a Lay Speaker they will be given the opportunity to
act on the recommendations of the committee and request a re-evaluation by the
committee after a period of six months.
Johnnie E. Draughon
Conference Director of Lay Speaking Ministries
Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church