LAITY
Laity refers to the Greek word laos which means all the people of God. Laity are empowered through Lay Servant Ministries to serve in each community and in our conference.
Lay Servant Ministries of The United Methodist Church has its origins in early Methodism. John Wesley used lay persons to preach, conduct worship, lead studies, and visit the sick and imprisoned. These early leaders were called exhorters, forerunners of today’s lay servants.
Today, those involved in Lay Ministry are charged to witness, lead, and have their service inspire others to a deeper commitment to Christ and more effective discipleship.
The three tenets of Lay Servant Ministries are Leading, Caring, and Communicating.
Please download the form and save to your computer before filling it out.
Certified Lay SERVANT Annual Report (If you have only taken the BASIC course, you do not have to submit a report. See note above chart below for explanation of this change.)
Certified Lay SPEAKER Annual Report
Certified Lay MINISTER Annual Report
The 2016 Book of Discipline no longer uses "Local (Basic) Lay Servant." Persons completing the Basic course will not need to complete an annual report form. Persons are encouraged to take the Basic course as a step toward discerning a call to ministry that may include becoming a Certified Lay Servant. A certificate of completion is issued upon completing the Basic course. Persons may apply to become Certified Lay Servants after completion of both the Basic and an Advanced course.
2025 Lay Servant Ministries Catalog
| TITLE: | REQUIREMENTS: |
| Certified Lay Servant Laity who have taken the Basic course and one advanced course in LSM; serve in the local congregation and beyond |
1. Pastor and charge conference approval 2. Take an advanced course after the Basic 3. File annual report 4. Complete 1 advanced course every 3 years* |
| Certified Lay Speaker Certified Lay Servants who provide pulpit supply Required Courses: Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts, Leading Prayer, Preaching, Living Our United Methodist Beliefs (UM Heritage), Leading Worship, Life Together in the United Methodist Connection (UM Polity) |
(Are Certified Lay Servants) 1. Pastor and charge conference approval 2. Complete the required courses for lay speaker 3. Interview with District Committee on LSM and background check by the conference 4. Approved by annual conference Committee on Lay Servant Ministries 5. File annual report 6. Every 3 years* complete 1 advanced course and interview with District Committee on LSM |
Certified Lay Minister |
1. Lay servant certification or equivalent (includes Basic Lay Servant course and Each One a Minister or an equivalent Spiritual Gifts discernment course Detailed step-by-step guide for becoming a Certified Lay Minister available here East Ohio Conference CLM Recertification Process (every 2 years) Recommendation form for CLM Recertification (for District Superintendent and dCOM) |
Julie Carter
Lay Ministries Director
(380) 223-9237
The East Ohio Conference Office:
located in North Canton, OH,
near Akron-Canton Airport.
Address:
8800 Cleveland Ave. NW
North Canton, OH 44720
Phone:
(330) 499-3972
Office Hours:
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m