Certified Lay Minister
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 2016 BOD, ¶ 419.2.
A Certified Lay Minister, as a part of a ministry team with supervision and support of a clergyperson:
A Certified Lay Minister, as a part of a ministry team with supervision and support of a clergyperson:
- Conducts public worship
- Cares for the congregation
- Develops new faith communities
- Preaches the Word
- Leads small groups
- Establishes outreach ministries
- Serves as a class leader
- Engages in specialized ministries after appropriate training such as in parish nursing and church planting
- Assists in program leadership
requirements for certification
- Must already be a Certified Lay Servant, lay missioner
- Pastor and church council or charge conference recommendation
- Complete the Mississippi Annual Conference Certified Lay Ministry Academy
- District Superintendent recommendation
- Background check conducted by District Office before admission to the CLMA and submitted a copy to Office of Spiritual Leadership
- Conference Board of Laity Interview
REQUIREMENTS FOR RENEWAL
- Annual Report to Charge Conference submitted
- Pastor and church council or charge conference recommendation
- Ministry review
- Lay Servant Ministries advanced course or approved continuing education event every two years
- District Superintendent Recommendation
- Conference Board of Laity approval every two years after interview