Certified Lay Minister
CALL AND COVENANT FOR MINISTRY
CERTIFIED LAY MINISTER
Northwest Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church Certified Lay Ministry Policy
To provide a basic overview of the call to ministry, theology, and ordering of ministry in The United Methodist Church; explain the role of Certified Lay Minister; support the formation of a Mutual Ministry Team for learning and leading in the congregation and develop a ministry covenant to guide mission.
A certified lay minister (CLM) may serve smaller churches, faith communities, and ethnic/culturally diverse ministries where a traditional clergy appointment is simply not viable. A CLM may also serve in the church where he or she regularly worship when it is determined that a pastoral team would enhance faithful mission and ministry in that community.
The CLM is intended to serve as part of a team ministry under the supervision of an equipping clergyperson. The modules were designed with the expectation that they are to be completed with that mutual ministry team (MMT) engaging in both learning and leading. This process prepares the CLM and informs the congregation.
Developing a Ministry Covenant is an essential part of Module 1. This is a new style of leadership that requires careful discernment and planning to be effective. A congregation must discuss CLM training, support, supervision, and accountability as well as decide what is sacramental and missional life will be together.
The Certified Lay Minister training will be led by Dr. Jerry Marshall and other persons.
CLM Appliation FormDraft 5 October 24, 2006
The Certified Lay Minister shall relate to and function within the local church, district, and conference as outlined in paragraph 272 of the 2004 Book of Discipline. The aim of this policy is to clarify and/or define items for the Northwest Texas Conference.
Initial Certification: A certified lay speaker or a person with equivalent training as approved by his/her district committee may be certified as a lay minister by the District Committee on Ordained Ministry after s/he has:
1. Been recommended by the pastor of the local church where s/he holds membership and by vote of the Church Council or Charge
Conference.
2. Completed a certified lay minister application and biographical form, sending a copy the district superintendent.
3. Submitted to criminal/theft/fraudulent misconduct background checks; credit check, and shall complete boundaries and Safe Sanctuary training.
4. The Board of Ministry registrar shall report to the district superintendent when all background checks are completed.
5. The district superintendent may make a recommendation that the certified lay minister candidate continue in the process.
6. Completed modules 1 - 4 of Certified Lay Ministry Orientation Program led by the Board of Laity and representatives of the Board of Ordained Ministry.
7. A person may become a certified lay minister after completing two of the four modules. The remaining modules must be completed to be eligible for renewal of the certification.
8. Completed classes on United Methodist history, polity, doctrine, worship and liturgy of the United Methodist Church through any of the following sources:
a. Pastoral Ministry School
b. Online through McMurry, Asbury, etc
c. Academy for Faithful Ministry, McMurry
d. Advanced Lay Speaking Classes
e. Other Lay Academies (including Round-up)
9. Completed required psychological testing.
10. The District Superintendent may recommend the applicant for approval as a certified lay minister after successful completion of the process.
11. Made application in writing to the District Committee on Ordained Ministry
12. Appeared before the District Committee on Ordained Ministry for review and approval.
13. All appropriate records are maintained (see below).
Policy relating to Certified Lay Ministers
A person may attend module one without having the recommendation of the district superintendent, but credit may not be given unless all necessary steps have previously been complied with. Module one is a prerequisite for attending any of the other three modules.
The lay missioner program shall be considered equivalent training to the certified lay speaker (272.2).
Recertification shall require a ministry review by the Church Council and approval of the review by the Charge Conference from the congregation of which he/she is a member (272.3a, 272.4a). A Certified Lay Minister shall be recertified biannually upon the recommendation of the District Superintendent and the District Committee on Ministry. Each Certified Lay Minister shall complete approved continuing education events and submit a report to the District Committee on Ministry biannually.
Upon discontinuance as a certified lay minister, the lay minister shall return his/her certificate to the District Superintendent who will note on the back the reason for discontinuance. The certificate shall be filed with the Conference Board of Ministry Registrar. A certified lay minister may be discontinued upon (1) a written request by the certified lay minister addressed to the District Committee on Ministry, or (2) the recommendation of the District Superintendent with review and approval by the District Committee on Ordained Ministry.
The following records shall be maintained: (1) The District Committee on Ministry shall issue a certificate to the certified lay minister upon completion of the appropriate process outlined in the current Book of Discipline. A copy of the certificate shall be filed in the District Committee on Ministry personnel file. (2) The District Committee on Ministry shall report to the cabinet the names of certified lay ministers and their churches in January of each year. (3) The District Committee on Ministry shall report the names of certified lay ministers and their churches to the Board of Ordained Ministry by the spring board meeting each year. (4) The Board of Ordained Ministry shall keep a record of certified lay ministers each year and note the status of the relationship annually.
Any questions may be submitted to Ava Berry at the Conference Center. Ava Burdine Berry Director of Mission and Administration Northwest Texas Conference, 806-762-0201x16, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
