All laity is invited to participate in Lay Servant Ministries (LSM) courses, not just persons seeking to become a Certified Lay Servant.

This course is the foundation for all the other Learning & Leading courses for Lay Servant Ministries, and is required to become a Certified Lay Servant and Lay Speaker. In this course, you are encouraged to discover and employ personal spiritual gifts as God intended. Participants are invited to consider the importance of exercising servant leadership, developing future leaders, remaining rooted in consistent spiritual practices, and being part of a group that holds members accountable in their discipleship. The course offers guidelines for best practices as a church leader and in mission and ministry in the community and in daily life.

Advanced courses equip the laity for service in many facets of lay ministry and congregational leadership. Completion of one Advanced Course after the Basic Course is required to become a Certified Lay Servant. Specified Advanced Courses are required to achieve the designation of Lay Speaker.

• Lead Bible study in a local church
• Lead mission trip in local church
• Coordinate VBS in local church
• Teach Sunday School
• Lead UMM/UMW
• Preach in one’s local church

• Pastor and charge conference approval
• Complete the Basic Course in LSM
• File annual report
• Take a refresher course every 3 years

• Basic Course in LSM

• District

• Lead project for Missional Network
• Train neighboring church in stewardship
• Preach in another church
• District officer for UMM/UMW

• Pastor and charge conference approval
• Take an advance course after the Basic Course
• File annual report
• Complete 1 Advanced Course every 3 years
• Person who wants to preach in another church will also meet with the District Committee for LSM and submit a sermon they’ve prepared and presented

• Advanced Course
• Other approved alternatives

• District or group providing alternative curriculum

• Provide interim pulpit supply while pastor is out on maternity/paternity leave
• Preach regularly in a multiple-point charge

• Pastor and charge conference approval
• Complete the required courses for Lay Speaker
• Interview with District Committee on LSM
• Approved by Annual Conference Committee on LSM
• File annual report
• Every 3 years, complete 1 Advanced Course and interview with District Committee on LSM

• Discovering Our Spiritual Gifts
• Leading Prayer
• Preaching
• Living Our United Methodist Beliefs (UM Heritage)
• Leading Worship
• Life Together in the UM Connection (UM Polity)

• Online (BeADisciple.com)
• Preaching course by District

Listed below are the roles for licensed and ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church.

Certified Lay Ministers are assigned to provide lay pastoral leadership for a congregation.

• Must pursue four courses

• Empathy
• Patience
• Willingness to work under the supervision of a clergyperson

Deacons are ordained to Word, Service, Compassion, and Justice.

• Undergraduate Degree
• Master of Divinity Degree or equivalent
• Two-year residency

• Excellence in oral and written communication
• Teamwork
• Initiative

Elders are ordained to Service, Word, Sacrament, and Order.

• Undergraduate Degree
• Master of Divinity Degree or equivalent
• Two-year residency

• Excellence in oral and written communication
• Teamwork
• Initiative
• Risk-taking leadership

Licensed Local Pastors are licensed to perform the duties of a pastor while appointed to a particular church.

• High School Diploma or GED
• Licensing School
• Must pursue 5-year course of study

• Excellence in oral and written communication
• Willingness to seek help
• Adaptability