Lay Speaking Ministries

Click here for a listing of the District Lay Speaking Coordinators.

If you ...

... are ready to share God's love and your faith
... sense God's calling and you are willing to explore it 
... are willing to go wherever and whenever God calls you 
... will commit your time and energy to the service of God and your neighbor

you are ready to become a Lay Speaker

What is a Lay Speaker?

A Lay Speaker is an active, supportive member of a United Methodist congregation who is eager to be in ministry through the church. He/she is well-informed on scripture, doctrine, heritage, organization and life of the United Methodist Church and is committed to witnessing through church and community leadership, care giving ministries and spoken communication. A Lay Speaker is willing to initiate ministry in partnership with clergy and other Lay Speakers and willing to improve his/her skills for service.

How Do Lay Speakers Serve?

There are two ways to serve as a Lay Speaker:

Lay Speakers care, lead, and communicate, they encourage, equip, and support others for deeper commitment to Christ and to faithful discipleship

A Lay Speaker is a person who chooses to take part in training on the Basic level, then perhaps on the Advanced level to become a Lay Speaker. This person receives the recommendation of the Church Council and/or the Annual Meeting and the pastor; and the approval of the District and Conference Board of Lay Ministry to serve as a Lay Speaker.

Those in the Lay Speaking Ministry serve in many ways: visitation, leading a study, singing in the choir, serving at a lunch program, teaching Sunday School, sending out church or personal prayers, volunteering to clean, go on a mission project, or to lead or preach at a worship service. The types of ministry are too numerous to list.