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LAITY

Board of Laity

The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2016 ¶631 states that the board should:

• foster an awareness of the role of laity both within the local congregation and through their ministries in the home, workplace, community, and world in achieving the mission of the Church.
• develop and promote programs to cultivate an adequate understanding of the theological and biblical basis for lay life and work among the members of the churches of the annual conference
• develop and promote stewardship of time, talent, and possessions within the annual conference in cooperation with the conference council on ministries or other appropriate conference bodies.
• provide for the training of lay members of annual conference
• provide support and direction for the ministry of the laity on the local, district, and annual conference levels and to promote the observance of Laity Sunday
• provide organization, direction, and support for the development of local church leaders

The East Ohio Conference Board of Laity is focusing on preparing and encouraging all people in a life of Christian discipleship by

• helping churches with vision, Christian formation, and outreach
• partnering in ministry with clergy and supporting vitality and discipleship across the conference and especially in the local church by aligning with the 4 Areas of Focus

The Board of Laity has created three task forces to live into the areas of focus.

• Vision task force with an objective to equip local churches to conduct strategic planning to lean into the mission and vision of the church
• Christian Formation task force with an objective to equip local churches to make and mature disciples of Jesus Christ and encourage accountable relationships and missional small groups
• Outreach task force with an objective to assist church’s outreach efforts to serve the poor, those who are hungry, and/or those with or recovering from addiction by collecting and disseminating information on the initiatives and models used to serve in these areas