Lay Servant Ministries
Lay Servant Ministries is a United Methodist leadership development program that is focused on equipping and empowering laypersons who have responded to the call of God to serve in mission and ministry. These laypersons are called to live out their own discipleship as servants in leadership through ministries of leading, caring and communicating.
For general information on our work, see the Lay Servant Ministries section of the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship website. Click here for documents and resources for Lay Servant Ministries.
Upcoming Classes
All laity are invited to participate in lay servant ministries courses, not just persons seeking to become a Certified Lay Servant, Certified Lay Speaker or Certified Lay Minister.
Lay Servant Academy in Fort Smith will be held April 19 & 20
Friday Classes (select one class per day)
Introduction to Lay Servant Ministries, Bonnie Branson facilitator, bransonb53@gmail.com
*Prerequisite for all other Lay Servant Ministries courses
Book: Basic Course Participant’s Guide, authors Sandy Zeigler Jackson and Brian Jackson
This course is foundational for all courses in Lay Servant Ministries. Participants are encouraged to discover and employ personal spiritual gifts as God intended and 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.
Climate Justice: A Call to Hope and Action, Brenda Gullett facilitator, brendagale.
We live on a small blue planet in the midst of a mindbogglingly huge universe. It is a fragile planet, and it’s the only one we have to call home. The Church needs to powerfully model how to address climate injustice. This study commissioned by United Women in Faith will challenge you to see what needs to happen for climate justice to become a reality in the world today—and understand the urgency of these changes. This entails not only focusing on the environment, but also asking some hard questions.There has never been a more timely learning for Lay Leaders in the Arkansas Conference as a resolution will be presented in 2024 encouraging every church to set up a Green Committee to look at sustainability and address climate issues for their campus.
Book: Climate Justice: A Call to Hope and Action (2nd Edition), Pat Watkins (Best price UWFaithresources.org)
United Methodist Heritage, Randy Godsey facilitator, randygodsey@
Book: Living Our Beliefs, Kenneth L. Carder
This course explores the basic beliefs and practices of the United Methodist Church as defined in Part II of The Book of Discipline. It uncovers a deeper understanding and experience of Christian faith as you embrace the United Methodist way.
Saturday Classes (select one class per day)
Called to Preach, Rev. Ron Hayes facilitator, ron.hayes@arumc.org
Book: From Pew to Pulpit, Clifton F. Guthrie
Serving God includes sharing the Message, preaching! Public speaking is ranked as one of the most dreaded activities. Yet, God does call clergy and laity to step up and share. If we are called to do so, let’s do it as best we can with the help of God. This course provides a basic introduction to the theory and practice of Christian preaching within the context of Christian worship. Participants will engage with Scripture, consider a various set of methodologies and theories of practice for sermon development and deliveries, and will practice preaching including practicing evaluating sermons.
Spiritual Gifts: Each One a Minister, Kevin Krest facilitator, kevinkrest@yahoo.com
Book: Spiritual Gifts: Each One a Minister, William J. Carter
Designed to encourage individuals to discover Gods call to ministry in their own lives, Each One a Minister leads toward practical ways of using gifts in ministries in our congregations and in our communities. An ideal resource for anyone seeking to identify and use their gifts in meaningful ways.
Leading Worship, Liz Lusk facilitator, lizards0124@gmail.com
Book: Worshiping with United Methodists by Hoyt Hickman
For many lay people, the prospect of leading worship can be intimidating! This course will help you prepare to lead worship or, if you are a Lay Speaker, offer pulpit supply with confidence. It will focus on the ministry of the lay servant who either regularly or occasionally leads a group or congregation in worship. This class is required for Lay Speaker certification.
CERTIFIED LAY SERVANT
A certified lay servant serves the local church or charge (and/or beyond) and:
- provides program leadership, assistance and support.
- leads meetings for prayer, training, study and discussion.
- conducts or assists in conducting services of worship, preaches the Word or gives addresses.
- provides congregational and community leadership and fosters caring ministries.
- assists in the distribution of the elements of Holy Communion.
- teaches the Scriptures, doctrine, organization, and ministries of The United Methodist Church.
Certified lay servants who wish to develop their skills further may choose a track to become certified as lay speakers or as lay ministers.
CERTIFIED LAY SPEAKER
A certified lay speaker is called specifically to pulpit supply and serves by preaching the Word when requested by the pastor, district superintendent, or committee on lay servant ministries in accordance with and compliance with paragraph 341.1 of The Book of Discipline.
HOW DO LAY SPEAKERS DIFFER FROM LAY SERVANTS?
- Lay Speakers are called specifically to occasionally serve a pulpit by preaching the Word when requested
- Education requirements include the Lay Speaker Track of Study and 1 Advanced Course every 3 years
CERTIFIED LAY MINISTER
A certified lay minister is called to long-term, intentional ministry and serves as part of a ministry team with the supervision and support of a clergyperson and:
- 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.
- assists in program leadership.
- engages in specialized ministries after appropriate training.
HOW DO LAY MINISTERS DIFFER FROM LAY SPEAKERS?
- Lay Ministers fill an ongoing need for congregational leadership (would be assigned to a church as its minister)
- Education requirements include Lay Minister-specific classes
Director of Arkansas Conference Lay Servant Ministries:
Teresa (Tee) Healy-Bolin
(501) 837-4764
teresa.bolin@arumc.org
Central District:
Jim Silvi
(501) 425-2799
jmsilvi@gmail.com
Northeast District:
LaDonna Busby
(870) 793-5274
lbusby@arumc.org
Northwest District and Assistant Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministries:
Karen Anderson
(479) 372-3191
karen.anderson@arumc.org
Southeast District:
Lea Ann Forrest
(870) 224-1022
lea.forrest@arumc.org
Southwest District:
Karla Hefty
(870) 267-4161
karlahefty@hotmail.com