Are you a Church member who is in a Leadership role; seeking to become a Local or Certified Lay Speaker; would like to improve your knowledge, and/ or need an advanced course to recertify. I personally recommend every Church Leader, including those who feel they have potential and individuals wanting to grow spiritually to take a Lay Speaking Course. Your Lay Leader, members of the leadership council, Lay Member to Annual Conference, each committee chairperson, youth group leaders, Church school teachers, and youth members are all encouraged to take Lay Speaking Ministry courses.
A lay speaker is:
· An active supportive member of your church
· Eager to serve through the church
· Well-informed on the Scripture, and the doctrine, heritage, organization, and life of the UnitedMethodistChurch
· Committed to witnessing through church and community leadership, care-giving ministries, and spoken communication
· Willing to improve his/her skills for service
Lay Speakers witness to their Christian faith by Caring, Leading, and Speaking.
Caring:
· Seeking to understand other's hopes, dreams, pains, and joys
· Reaching out to others with love in their times of personal crisis
· Welcoming newcomers to the church and neighborhood
· Organizing outreach efforts; Youth groups, shut-in visitation, or prison ministry
· Being friends and advocates for persons with handicapped conditions
Leading:
· Developing and improving ministries of service and witness
· Starting new congregations or new Sunday school classes
· Serving as officers and leaders for committees and groups
· Teaching Sunday school
· Making opportunities to witness and serve in every walk of life.
Speaking:
· Sharing faith stories one-to-one
· Leading devotions in the church and community
· Interpreting conference and general church programs
· Serving as liturgist for worship
· Pulpit supply
This experience offers training yes, but also spiritual enrichment, fellowship, support from other Lay Speakers, and an opportunity to share personal experiences. Each of us will return home with a renewed spiritual awareness and an enthusiastic desire to serve our Lord Jesus Christ. Help your leaders be better prepared to serve by encouraging their participation in this Christian leadership experience. Contact Melissa Templeton if you are interested in the Lay Speaking Classes.
In HIS service,
Melissa Templeton, Lay Leader
