Lay Speaking

What is a Lay Speaker?

A Lay Speaker is. . . An active supportive member of a United Methodist Church; eager to serve through the church; well informed on Scripture, doctrine, heritage, organization, and life of The United Methodist Church; committed to witnessing through church and community leadership, care giving ministries, and spoken communication; and willing to improve his/her skills for service.


Local Church Lay Speakers. . . 
Serve in and through their local churches. They must be recommended by their pastor and Church Council or Charge Conference; and complete the Basic Course for Lay Speaking. Each year they must reapply reporting how they have served and continued to learn during that year. Every 3 years they must complete a refresher course.


Certified Lay Speakers . . .
Serve in their own churches; in other churches; and through district or conference projects and programs. They must be recommended by their pastor and Church Council or Charge Conference, complete The Basic Course and one Advanced Lay Speaking Course; and be interviewed by the District or Conference Committee on Lay Speaking. They must report and reapply annually and they must complete at least one Advanced Course every three years.


To find out more about the lay speaking training, service, and support network in your area, contact your

  • Local church lay leader
  • Pastor
  • District director of lay speaking
  • District lay leader
  • District superintendent
  • Another lay speaker

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