UPPER NEW YORK ANNUAL CONFERENCETHE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

THE LAY MINISTRY HANDBOOK

INTRODUCTION

“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.” 1 Corinthians 12: 12 – 14

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Everyone is called to ministry. Ordained ministry is special and essential to the church, but the verses above demonstrate that all of us play a part in God’s plan. Laity in leadership roles in the church must partner effectively with the clergy to discern, empower, and resource ministries that help all of Jesus’ disciples live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be God’s love with our neighbors in all places.

Many laypersons in leadership roles often wonder where to start or how to restart. That is why we wanted to create this handbook. It offers many practical steps for partnering successfully with clergy and leading effectively in the church. The handbook is structured around the list of duties for the local church lay leader according to the Book of Discipline. However, any lay person in a leadership role can find helpful ideas about how to perform their ministry by taking these steps. After discussing the meaning of the duty as described in the Book of Discipline, we offer some things to pray about, some things to think about, and some things to try.

It is hope that this handbook helps you step into the blessing that God has planned. All ministry must flow from a love for God and what God has done in Jesus Christ. God called you to this ministry as part of God’s great plan for us all. That reality can sometimes feel overwhelming, but it also provides the greatest comfort in the midst of the challenge. If God calls you to a ministry, God equips you for success in the ministry. Prepare to be a blessing and to be blessed in return!

Yours In Christ,

Scott JohnsonConference Lay LeaderUpper New York Annual Conference

WHAT DOES A LAY LEADER DO?

You were chosen by your church at the Charge Conference to be the Lay Leader of your congregation. The church’s mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. You have been called to nurture, equip, and organize Christ-centered leaders to be in ministry to fulfill that mission.

The discussion in this handbook starts with spiritual leadership. It is critically necessary that laity in leadership be spiritual leaders. Next, we walk through the “job description” for a local church lay leader from Book of Discipline. Each section explains the task listed in the Discipline more fully. from there we offer some things to pray about, some things to think about, and some things to try in order to get started doing the work.

Spiritual Leadership:

Ministry is not just a job; it is spiritual endeavor. It is vital that a layperson in leadership be in a healthy, dynamic, active relationship with God. We have a mission because God gives it. Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. We cannot fulfill this mission leaving by God out of it.

To be an effective leader you need to model servant leadership. Servant Leadership is leadership style based on Jesus. Servant leaders do not see power as a means of control, but their leadership is an opportunity to help. The servant leader seeks to empower and enable others to flourish in accomplishment of vision. It is important to note that you are in this position to work for Jesus not to enhance yourself. You need to help your church to stay focused on where God is leading. Your own life should be a beacon for how others should live their life for God.

The demands of leadership in the church are significant. The only way to meet them is to fully rely on God. Ministries of leadership are demanding spiritually, emotionally, and physically. The roles present particular challenges if you’re working a full time job and/or raising children. Leaders must stay engaged with God as the source of their vision and strength. This means regularly praying, studying the Bible, worshiping, performing acts of mercy, connecting to Christian friends and mentors, and taking Sabbath time. If a leader in the church loses any one of these dimensions, it becomes very difficult to remain healthy and motivated to perform the role to which one is called.

Some Things to Pray About:● Ask God to assure you in every way possible that this is the role God intends for you. Ask God

to impress it on your soul so that you can move forward confidently knowing that this how God intends you to serve at the moment.

● If you are hesitant or lack clarity about being called to this ministry, ask God to increase your desire for what is God’s will and to decrease the desire for what is not God’s will. Ask God to close doors that are tempting you off of God’s intended path for you so that the door God has chosen becomes more clear.

● Ask God to increase your faith. Trust that if God brought you to this, God has equipped you to succeed in this. There will be challenges, struggles, and mistakes, but you must trust that God is with you and in control.

Some things to think about:● Why do you believe your church elected you to this role? What is it they saw in you that you

may not be seeing? Understanding this can help you discern what the church believes it needs. ● What are some things you’ve always wanted for your church? How might being in this role

give you the chance to make them happen? We all bring hopes for our churches and communities to the table. This ministry may provide an opportunity to bring these hopes to fruition, provided they are what God intends.

● How do you feel this ministry will let you become more of a blessing to others? Where are the opportunities to do some good you couldn’t do previously? The biggest mistake a leader can make is to believe that this ministry is more about him or her self than it is about those he or she serves. Where do you see opportunities to make a difference for others?

Some things to try:● Feed yourself what you need. You might look for a devotional focused on leaders, especially

church leaders. These will focus your spiritual energy on resourcing and learning how to lead more effectively. If you want to deepen your prayer life, look for resources that will help. Chart an intentional path of learning for yourself.

● Reach out to others. Ask other local church lay leaders about the lessons they’ve learned about leading in the Spirit and pitfalls to avoid. You district and conference lay leaders are a great resource for this. Also, seek out others at district , regional, or conference events.

● Craft and master your talking points. One thing common among excellent leaders is that they can state their mission, vision, and plan clearly and efficiently. Can you explain what God is doing with you and your church in a couple of sentences? If you encountered a friend at work at a district meeting, how would you answer the question, “so what’s happening with your church right now?”We know that where there is no vision, people perish. What are you leading people toward? If you can’t say it with confidence and believe it, no one else will either. Is the vision clear? Does your vision inspire? Also, ask yourself if God’s not in it, why not?

The Role of the Lay Leader: Part V, Chapter 1, Section VI

¶ 251. Duties of Leaders and Members

1. Out of the professing membership of each local church (¶ 126), there shall be elected by the charge conference a lay leader who shall function as the primary lay representative of the laity in that local church and shall have the following responsibilities:a) fostering awareness of the role of laity both within the congregation and through their ministries in the home, workplace, community, and world, and finding ways within the community of faith to recognize all these ministries;

Being a lay leader involves a teaching function in that the first activity described under the role is “fostering awareness.” This will not mean teaching in the formal sense the majority of the time. It means that in different contexts a lay leader may have to explain that being a disciple means being in ministry. When we pledge membership to the United Methodist Church we pledge to support the ministries of the church with our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. Whether folks are eight or eighty-eight, people can serve as God calls them because God equips them to do so. The Book of Discipline also says the following about the Ministry of Laity:

The ministry of the laity flows from a commitment to Christ’s outreaching love. Lay members of the United Methodist Church are, by history and calling, active advocates of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Every layperson is called to carry out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20); every layperson is called to be missional. The witness of the laity, their Christ-like examples of everyday living as well as the sharing of their faith experiences of the gospel, is the primary evangelistic ministry through which all people will come to know Christ and the United Methodist church will fulfill its mission. The Ministry of the Laity: 2008 Book of Discipline - Paragraph 126

In short, helping all people in the church understand and live this, whether member or attendee, young or old, recent convert or lifelong participant, is the foundational aspect of being a lay leader in a local church.

Part of the challenge in this is helping some folks recognize what we mean by ministry. Ministry is much more than preaching or teaching about God. A task or activity that results from a call of God, done out of love for God, and blesses God or a child of God is a ministry. So, keeping a church kitchen, driving someone to the pharmacy, or tutoring math is every bit a ministry as visiting the sick, teaching a bible study, or preaching a sermon. This misperception keeps many laity from ministries to which they are divinely called. A ministry is what is done because of the love of God in a human heart responds to a call of God to serve God in the world. Sometimes stepping into a ministry may not be the product of much conscious thought or spiritual exploration. Other times calls to ministry are the result of purposeful investigation and discernment. Whatever the case, helping your brothers and sisters understand ministry as a part of discipleship is a critical dimension of lay leadership in the church.

The main way to communicate this message is to build positive relationships with the congregation. You must engage people. There are many ways to have effective communication with the church. Different church members will prefer different ways of communicating, including person to person, phone, e-mail, Skype, and Facebook. By getting to know peopleyou can learn the best way to communicate with them. The key is to communicate with them about the blessings and expectations of discipleship.

Some things to pray about:● God give me strength. Ask God to make you comfortable approaching sisters and brothers with

this message.● God give me the words. Ask God to guide your speaking so that you can honestly and clearly

communicate the message of lay ministry.● God please ready peoples’ hearts. Ask God to stir the passions of people so that when the

explanations and invitations come, they are primed to respond affirmatively.

Some things to think about:● How can I reach the whole congregation? Depending on the size of your church it may be

difficult to reach all of the laity with this message. Perhaps you need associate lay leaders or gifted partners who can make sure that every hears the message of expectation. Maybe organizing a team around areas of ministry (youth and seniors) or by different worship services would help make sure everyone hears the message.

● Polish the message. We’re not selling a used car here. This is a message designed to inform, inspire, and invite. We should not intimidate or make people feel guilty. Discuss with some trusted friends, your district lay leader, and your pastor the best ways to talk about the necessity, beauty, and power of lay ministry.

Some things to try:● Ask the pastor about her or his plans for a new membership classes and baptisms. These are a

perfect times to remind the entire congregation about the expectations on all of us as members of the church.

● Teach and use the language of ministry when discussing the work of the congregation until becomes normal for attendees to think of themselves as serving God in ministry.

● Celebrate lay ministries often. People also tend to do what is rewarded and valued. If we don’t treat lay ministry as if it matters, it doesn’t. If we don’t treat ministries that occur outside of worship and Sunday School as if they matter, they don’t.

b) meeting regularly with the pastor to discuss the state of the church and the needs for ministry;

Become a partner in ministry with your pastor by praying, sharing and working together. This involves frequent communication. Promote effective relationships between you and your pastor, which begins with open minds and mutual respect. This starts with an understanding that the Church is God's Church and only by His Grace and Love we can be a part of this great ministry. Congregations respond in a positive way to Pastor-Lay leadership when they see that both are spirit filled and working in harmony for effective ministry. This kind of partnership ministry, with the whole congregation involved, becomes very important when pastoral leadership changes. People are often confused by what “partnership’ in this sense really means. I suggest thinking about three characteristics of a good partnership:

Roles: what is it that each of you does in fulfilling the ultimate mission. There are clearly things that only ordained clergy do, but ministry of a local church must be more than the work of the ordained clergy. The challenge is to determine those tasks that the lay leader does that no one else does. What does the lay leader do that no one else does:

● Hold the “big picture” perspective of the ministry of the church ● serve as confidant and sounding board for how ideas, vision, and plans of the clergy might

be received by others● share things being said in the congregation in one on one settings.● filter multiple messages from the congregation into those things which the pastor should

hear to help her or him prioritize where to act. ● reinforce ideas and messages from the pastor in the congregation

Respect: You must respect each other as people as well as the importance of the roles you play. It becomes virtually impossible for two people to work together if you do not respect each other. You do not need to be best friends or buddies. If personal friendships develop (and they often will), that is a tremendous blessing. However, friendship is not a requirement to perform this ministry, mutual respect for one another as disciples working for Christ is.

Reciprocity: When partnerships flourish, members of the tandem feel as though they receive something valuable from the partnership. If either of you feels that the time together isn’t helping in achieving the ultimate purpose of the partnership, you will devalue the time together. Go into the relationship expecting God to produce the synergy between the two of you.

You and your pastor are a team, and teaming means sharing responsibilities. See where opportunities to share exist, such as leading special events, visiting the sick and homebound, or contacting visitors to

your church. This partnership will bless each of you and well as the church in many unforseen ways if you give it the chance.

Some things to pray about:● The pastor as person and as leader: ask God to strengthen them to give them clear vision that

reflects God’s will. Ask God to give them physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Pray for the well being of their family and relationships as well.

● Spiritual Connection: ask God to help you connect with the pastor around God’s will for your shared ministry. That it will be easy to determine when questions are answered.

● The ministry of the church: Ultimately the work the two of you do should bless others. Pray for that outcome.

Some things to think about:● What am I offering the pastor? What knowledge and skills will I provide that will help her or his

ministry thrive? ● What would I need from a pastor to make my ministry flourish? Clarifying what will help you,

makes it easier to explain for the pastor provide.● How best to do you work with others? Do you have a preferred communication format? (email,

phone, face to face). How do you like to solve problems? Know these things and share them so that you can work well together.

Some things to try:● Plan ahead: Everyone is busy. If your time is highly scheduled, then plan ahead so that you will

have some time to meet face to face for extended conversation. Even phone calls may need to be planned. If you rely on spontaneity, the communications will almost never be sufficient for the partnership to reach it’s fullest potential. .

● Meet with only prayer or fellowship as the purpose: Friendship is not required, but getting to know one another is. Meetings out of the regular location and format can go a long way in helping you get to know one another better. If the meetings are “all business,” you’ll miss out on many possible blessings.

● Listen to each other’s stories: Stories reveal much more about people than isolated facts. When building an effective partnership, listening to each other’s stories will help you know and understand each other. Ask questions that invite stories as a means of building your partnership: how did you become a United Methodist? What was your call to ministry like? What did you learn from a disappointment in ministry? How did you come to know Jesus as opposed to know about Jesus? What excites you about being here? These types of conversations build meaningful partnerships

c) membership in the charge conference and the church council, the committee on finance, the committee on lay leadership, and the committee on pastor-parish relations or staff-parish relations, where, along with the pastor, the lay leader shall serve as an interpreter of the actions and programs of the annual conference and the general Church (to be better equipped to comply with this responsibility, it is recommended that a lay leader also serve as a lay member of annual conference);

You are a voting member on the charge conference and the church council, the committee on finance, the committee on lay leadership, and the committee on pastor-parish relations or staff-parish relations. The key reason for participation on all of these bodies is the perspective you offer. It is recommended

that you or the Associate Lay Leader be present at each meeting, along with your pastor, to serve as an interpreter of the actions and programs of the annual conference and the general Church—a good reason for the Lay Leader/Associate Lay Leader to be the Church lay member of Annual Conference.

The lay member to annual conference is an important role in the church. You are the connecting link between the local church and the church beyond. How you view the district, conference, and the general church will have great influence on the congregations view of these entities. As a member of the annual conference you will be involved in all aspects of the annual conference along with other lay and clergy members. There will be times during the annual conference when you will vote the way your congregation feels and at other times God will move you to another course of action.

Prior to Conference Whether you are new or have been to annual conference before there is preparation that needs to take place before you attend. The most important preparation you can do to get ready for conference is prayer. Ask God to give you an open mind and understanding heart. Pray for on the issues and actions that will come before annual conference. There should be training sessions and pre-conference meetings in the area or on the internet to prepare you for the work of the conference. Talk with the leaders and members of the congregation about their feelings on certain issues. So you have their perspective with you into the conversations with your brothers and sisters across our connection.

The most important aspect of annual conference is your openness to experience God. Attend worship, prayer times and Bible Study. This will keep you grounded for the work of annual conference and provide you an opportunity to grow spiritually. Conference will start with a laity session. By attending this you will gain understanding of what is going to happen and how the conference is going to flow. Special meals will be available to you on different topics facing the church. During the business sessions you will be voting on legislation, resolutions, conference budget and reports. When voting pray for Gods will in each matter; not your will. (All sorts of information and materials will be passed out. (Keep this information for it will assist you in reporting back to your church. Journal your reflections and feelings of the different events and activities. Visit different displays and Cokesbury to learn what is going on the United Methodist Church.)

After Conference You will need to share the outcomes of annual conference with your congregation. Look at the conference web site for help in making the information you wish to share meaningful and interesting. When you report, make it your report showing your feelings and sharing items and events from annual conference that were meaningful to you. Use pictures, graphs and videos in your presentation. When your report is critical to keep in mind that you have up to three months to report back, but the closer you report to the time annual conference occurred the fresher and more accurate your experiences and memories will be. A presentation during worship made by you and your pastor will be most meaningful.

Lay Members, lay leaders and pastors are responsible for their congregations’ awareness of conference mission, priorities, activities and issues. The conference is not them but us. You are part of the conference.

Some things to pray about:● That the gifts and graces of explaining the connection comes easily: The structure and jargon

can be difficult to understand.

Some things to think about:● How does every committee serve the larger vision? This is always a challenge; however, none

of these groups exists for its own sake. Each plays a part in helping the church fulfill its mission. One valuable role a lay leader can play is to regularly assess how all of the parts are coming together to make the system function well.

● How well are we using our time and energy? What is the focus of most meetings? Do we spend our time considering how the mission is being accomplished or do we discuss other things? Where is God in your meetings? Do meetings have a spiritual element and presence that pervades the time and space? If it’s God’s business and God’s church, where was God in the conversation?

Some things to try:● Ask committees about how they see their activity adding up to the mission of the church:

Listening to these answers might surprise you. Also, challenge people to go beyond memorized words to what the mission means to them and how their group lives it. If people are very far apart, then building shared understanding and aligning efforts becomes a priority.

● Tithe meeting time: If a meeting is an hour is it unrealistic to give six minutes of the meeting to God? Everyone wants to feel that time is well spent. Make a conscious effort to give meetings worshipful character. It’s also difficult to focus on the task at hand if the troubles of the world are everyone’s mind. Invite God into the meeting intentionally. Be the church for God and one another before you do church business.

● Celebrate victories and appreciate each other: It is tragic when people who devote time and energy feel that no one notices. Make a conscious effort as the leader of a team to show every member that you value their contributions. Sometimes, publicly and sometimes privately, but always sincerely. Everyone likes to be valued and everyone needs to know they matter.

d) continuing involvement in study and training opportunities to develop a growing understanding of the Church's reason for existence and the types of ministry that will most effectively fulfill the Church's mission;

Educate yourself on the United Methodist Church, the connectional system, and the Upper New York Conference. It is recommended the Lay or Associate Lay Leaders be the representative for your church at Annual Conference. Become familiar with the training and ministries available to your church and laity through the General, Jurisdictional, and Annual Conference and assure your church takes advantage of them. Learn how delegates to General and Jurisdictional conferences are elected, identify those in your congregation that have a passion to be delegates to those conferences, and help them nominate themselves for that service. Identify people in your congregation that have a passion to serve

in ministries of the Upper New York Annual Conference and provide the necessary information to your District Lay Leader to nominate them.

Some things to pray about:

● That needs of the congregation become apparent: There are probably several areas. Understanding the priorities is essential.

● That folks have desire and ability to participate: The logistics of these types of events can be challenging. Pray for the best answer to meet the need

Some things to think about:

● How do people in your setting learn: Would they prefer a large event or a small event in the church. Should it be sustained study over time or a one time event. Would they prefer online. Consider what will be most effective.

Something to try:● Connect the connexion: Find the ten closest United Methodist churches to your own. Ask their

lay leader and/or pastor about ministries they have in progress and ministries the hope to start. In connection you might be able to accomplish something together neither of you could accomplish on your own. It also might unify people to impact a local community in a new way. Needs for the new ministry might reveal areas where training is needed.

e) assisting in advising the church council of opportunities available and the needs expressed for a more effective ministry of the church through its laity in the community;

The mission of the United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Be sure that this mission receives time and energy. A church needs efficient and competent administration, but a church does not exist to administer to itself. Laity in leadership must always be mindful of how much of the church’s time and energy is spent on reaching new people for Christ, helping all people in the name of Christ, helping people go deeper in relationship with Christ as opposed to activities that do not do that. Promote the use of teams in your church to identify new ministries and areas of outreach and as that ministry is implemented allow teams to move on to other new areas.

Some things to pray about:● Genuine hunger for mission: Ask God to awaken and grow a passion for God and God’s mission

in the world among your church.● Ask God to reveal where new opportunities for your congregation to engage the community

exist. We all need to look outward for opportunities to make our churches relevant to those outside our doors. This is where serving and witnessing will occur.

Some things to think about:● How many people who do not attend the church does the church touch regularly? If the

mission of the church is to make disciples and help all people, how does the church reach those that are already not a part of it? If the church is only serving itself, this is a problem.

● How does the church empower laity as witnesses? How and where does the congregation understand that we all go into the world as witnesses for Christ? While there may be organized plans for mission and evangelism in the church, how does the church equip everyone in it know the value sharing the difference God has made in their lives with others.

● How does the church glorify the kingdom to the world outside its walls, and what do they think happens when they do? Not every church sees itself as working in a mission field for God. If your church does not see itself this way, why do they believe they exist?

Some things to try:● Reality Check Lists: have members of the church list the ministries of the church and ask them

to assess where they believe new disciples will be made through them. Also, ask people how much time and energy is spent on reaching and nurturing ministries as opposed to administrative work.

● Offer some affirmation or prize to those who have brought the most people to church over a given period of time. Celebrate those who are regularly inviting people to experience your community of faith.

● Ask attendees where they believe the mission field of the church is. This may help you identify where passions to do something lie.

● Find ways to affirm people who have made attempts to witness. When people engage the prayer chain for someone in the community, find ways to meet needs that no one else is meeting.

f) informing the laity of training opportunities provided by the annual conference. Where possible, the lay leader shall attend training opportunities in order to strengthen his or her work. The lay leader is urged to become a certified lay speaker. In instances where more than one church is on a charge, the charge conference shall elect additional lay leaders so that there will be one lay leader in each church. Associate lay leaders may be elected to work with the lay leader in any local church.

Upper New York conference is committed to providing relevant training for its laity and clergy. Watch the website and E-Advocate, Advocate, and district newsletters for opportunities for training events.

Why should you consider becoming a lay speaker? Lay Speaking Ministries is the Laity Led – Discipline supported – Lay Ministry training program of the United Methodist Church. It offers all laity the opportunity to search out, discern, further their understanding and grow through educational courses on specific topics of interest that will ultimately lead them into deeper, stronger and gifted ministry service. Once a person feels it is time to answer the call of the “tugging” on their heart they have a number of things they can do: they can talk with their Pastor, their Lay leader, their District Superintendent, or their District Lay Speaking Director to see if the LS Ministry Basic course is the right next step for them as they choose to serve our Lord in new ways.

After registering for and completing a Basic Course of study, you may begin to decipher more clearly your personal gifts and calling of service within the church and your community. Then through

the large variety of Advance course trainings that are offered throughout the individual districts and our conference, you can choose to continue to glean specific skills, understandings and ministry tools.As lay persons continue to challenge themselves and grow in their faith journey’s, they are required to complete a training every three years to maintain either their Basic or Certified status.

The Lay Speaking Ministry program is not designed to create or develop laity for pulpit fill exclusively. It is however, designed to raise up, support, educate and inspire Laity of the UMC to discern their own specific ministry gifts of leading, teaching, caring, communicating and spreading the Love of Jesus in their communities and beyond.

The Conference Lay Speaking Ministries Director along with all twelve District Directors are dedicated to serving the laity members of the Upper NY Conference as they go out in ministry service across our conference and throughout our country & world. Here some frequently asked questions about lay speaking ministries:

What do I look for?.......The Learning & Leading ~ Basic Lay Speaking Ministries course written by the General Board of Discipleship within your District or our Conference.

Once I have completed my Basic Course and District LSM Requirements, what’s next?......The next step is up to you! You can serve within your local church and through ministry opportunities within your community or you can begin to look for and take an Advance LSM course within your district or within our conference; specific to your calling or ministry field.

How often can I take a course?......As often as you like!.....and as many as you feel are appropriate to your need and your faith journey.

How often do I have to take a course once I am certified?.......Every 3 yrs. to maintain certification and active status within your district. Your District LS Ministry team keep track of your training records, when you are in need of a course and what courses are being offered.

Are there other obligations?......You are responsible to fill out a Lay Speaking Ministry Report each year and hand it into your Pastor for signing prior to approval at your churches annual charge conference; which will then be signed by the DS and then the District LSM Director.

Is any other type of course accepted towards my Re-certification requirement?......Yes. Many District Directors will accept other courses like the Christian School of Mission, Bible Camp, or any faith based course of study that instructs you for a full 10hrs on the topic. However, the course needs to be approved and you will most likely need to provide proof of course completion. *You are encouraged & should take a Lay Speaking Curriculum course at least once every three years - as an “outside” opportunity cannot replace your recertification requirement multiple years in a row.

What if I move?......If you move out of one District to another – please inform your current LSM district team and/or director so your records can be transferred to your new district. *All courses and certifications should transfer from district to district & conference to conference.

As you faithfully journey along your path as a disciple for Jesus Christ, I am hopeful that you will answer the call our Lord has placed on your heart. Each of us has been gifted to fulfill a specific purpose within this world and I firmly believe that with the right guidance, support and faith growing opportunities; each of us can & will become the Disciple we were designed to be!

Something to pray about: Your call to lay speaking ministry: Talk with someone about it and then look into a Basic Lay

Speaking Ministry course near you. Others feeling the movement of the Spirit: Pray that those in your congregation respond to

God’s call

Something to think about: How might lay speakers fill needs in our congregational ministries? Lay speaking is not just for

preaching. Those who have been led to this ministry can serve in all types of ways. Where might a lay speaker help a ministry in your church?

Some things to try: Review the literature: Look through some of the literature on lay speaking courses to see if

there are topics that could be useful to you or your church. Invite someone to explain lay speaking: lay speakers in your congregation or in your district

could come to your church to discuss lay speaking ministries.

A CHECKLIST FOR YOU:

Do you have:

1. The ability to contact your pastor. The necessary phone numbers and emails so that you can reach him or her when necessary. The pastor must have the same for you.

2. The names and contact information for all the committee members on your church boards. These are people in leadership, and you must be in relationship with them.

3. The ability to access your church calendar, newsletter, website, and/or Facebook page/Twitter feed. You also must be able to communicate your messages to the congregation. People need to hear from you regularly, and you must be able to schedule any meetings or session you’d like.

4. A message: have you mastered your talking points about the mission, vision, and plans for the church? Where are opportunities to serve in your church? If you’re not comfortable communicating these messages, it will be difficult to people to follow your lead.

5. A support system: Know that your spouse and children understand the ministry in front of you. Also, have a circle of trusted friends with whom you can share your questions, joys, and concerns with. You cannot thrive in ministry if you feel isolated socially.

6. The name and contact information of your district lay leader, district superintendent, district director of lay speaking ministries. These folks are here to support your leadership. Never hesitate to ask questions, bring ideas, and seek community. Contact information for the conference lay leader and the conference director of lay speaking ministries is below :

Scott Johnson, UNY Conference Lay LeaderEmail: scottjphd @ gmail . com Phone: (716) 881-7226

Carmen FS Vianese, UNY Conference LSM DirectorEmail: vianese4@frontiernet.netPhone: 585-468-5935.

Brothers and sisters, God is doing great things in our communities and around the world through the body of Christ known as Upper New York Annual Conference. Thank you for all you do in that ministry. To God be the glory!