Central Massachusetts District
District Director of Lay Servant Ministries Charles Frasier chas.frasier@verizon.net 508-435-4668

Click here for the new "Lay Ministries Form"
which has been approved for Church Conferences

Central MA District Announces Spring 2013 Lay Servant (formerly Lay Speaking) Courses*

Each course will meet on three consecutive Saturdays – April 6, 13 and 20 at 1:00 to 6:00 PM.

Location: Franklin United Methodist Church; 82 W Central St; Franklin, MA 02038

Registration Fee: $35.00       Registration Deadline: March 28, 2013

Download:  Registration Form             

Description of Courses

Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course

The Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course focuses on the many ways lay servants are called to be in ministry. Completion of the Basic Course is required for certification.

Go Preach – Advanced Course

This course is designed for lay leaders, pastors, student pastors who have not completed formal preaching training, pastors seeking a basic refresher course, and others who are called upon to preach in a pastor’s absence.

Discover Your Spiritual Gifts - Advanced Course

This course focuses on acquiring a better understanding spiritual gifts and how they can and should be used by the church to fulfill its mission and ministry; learning what it means to be a spiritual leader; and being more fully equipped to lead others in exploring and using their spiritual gifts.

Lord, Teach Us to Pray - Advanced Course

Using the many activities included, this course will help you to put into practice the tools for personal prayer that deepen your relationship with the Lord through prayer, identify and find healing for obstacles to intimacy with God and experience the victory of a spirit-filled prayer.

*Important Notice: Lay Servant Ministries is the new name for Lay Speaking Ministries. The former position of Lay Speaker is replaced by Lay Servant and requires the same course of study. The position of Certified Lay Speaker is now reserved for a lay servant who feels called to serve as pulpit supply and have completed a course of study that includes: leading worship; leading prayer, discovering spiritual gifts, preaching and Methodist heritage and polity.

A refresher course is required every three years to remain a Local Church Lay Servant.  To become a Certified Lay Servant and serve outside your local congregation, you must take one advanced course and continue by taking at least one advanced course every three years.  All Local Church and Certified Lay Servants must submit an annual report of activities to their respective charge conference

For More Information or for a copy of the registration form email bobhout@verizon.net or contact Robert Hout, Jr. at 781-647-3117

New Name!

Lay Speaking Ministries are now Lay Servant Ministries! General Conference 2012 agreed to a name change from Lay Speaking Ministries to Lay SERVANT Ministries. During the legislative process a section was added to maintain the role of lay SPEAKER as pulpit supply and set requirements for persons desiring to fill that role.  Click here to read the more about the change.

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About Lay Servant Ministries

There are two types of Lay Servants:

1. Local Church Lay Servant serve in and through their local churches. To be recognized as a local church lay servant, one must be recommended by his/her pastor and church council or charge conference and complete the Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course. Each participant must reapply annually, reporting on service rendered and learning achieved during the year. Every three years the lay servant must complete a refresher course or continuing education course relating to his/her ministry
2. Certified Lay Servants serve in their own churches, in other churches, and through district or conference projects and programs. This offers them the opportunity to expand their outreach and to enrich their ministry through the various advanced courses. To be recognized as a certified lay servant, one must be recommended by his/her pastor and church council or charge conference and complete the Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course as well as one Lay Servant Advanced Course. Each lay servant must report and be renewed annually, and he/she must complete at least one Advanced Course every three years.

Important Reminder: A refresher course is required every three years to remain a Local Church Lay Servant. To become a Certified Lay Servant and serve outside your local congregation, you must take one advanced course and continue by taking at least one advanced course every three years. All Local Church and Certified Lay Servants must submit an annual report of activities to their respective charge conference.