Exciting News for The Park!
Dwight Harry will have an increased role at The Park! Dr. Sheron C. Patterson is utilizing his skills and abilities as a Certified Lay Servant, assigned by the North Texas Annual Conference. The Staff Pastor Parish Committee has approved Mr. Harry’s roles in assisting Dr. Patterson in the following areas:
- Education and deployment of The Park’s Certified Lay Speakers in the areas of connecting and strengthening the church during COVID.
- Attending various virtual meetings on behalf of the pastor, conferring with her on administrative matters of the church, and teaching within the congregation on various matters.
Mr. Harry completed the requirements to serve as a Certified Lay Servant in 2016 and has been appointed to Hamilton Park UMC by the North Texas Annual Conference since then.
What is a Certified Lay Minister?
According to The Book of Discipline, paragraph 268, “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 community outreach ministries as part of a ministry team with the supervision and support of a clergyperson. A certified lay minister is assigned by a district superintendent in accordance with 419.2. The certified lay minister serves to enhance the quality of ministry much like a class leader did in early Methodism through service in the local church, circuit or cooperative parish, or by expanding team ministry in other churches and charges. As with lay ministry in early Methodism, the certified lay minister uses his or her spiritual gifts as evidence of God’s grace.”