Lay Leadership Development
Our Resources
To respond to the realities of the Hispanic/Latino population in the United States, The United Methodist Church has developed contextualized ministerial certifications.
The Lay Missioner and Certified Lay Minister programs are new pathways developed in collaboration with the Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry and Discipleship Ministries.
The program aims to promote and develop a sense of self-determination among multicultural communities in the United States by affirming their sociocultural and linguistic heritage.
-
Lay Missioners are committed laypersons, willing to be trained and to work together as a ministry team with their pastor-mentor, in order to develop and lead:
Faith communities
Community Ministries
Church school extension programs
Congregational development with and into the local community
¶269 BoD
-
A Certified Lay Minister is called and equipped, under the support and supervision of a clergyperson, to:
conduct public worship
care for the congregation
assist in program leadership
develop new and existing faith communities
preach the Word
lead small groups
establish community outreach ministries as part of a ministry team
¶268 BoD
The training process seeks to connect theory with practice on the path toward the search for truth, which liberates, and love, which reconciles.
Lay Missioner
The Lay Missioner training process consists of two Encuentros, which seek to equip those called to work as a team in a specific ministry with basic biblical, theological, and practical tools.
-
Consists of an introductory study on the organization of relevant ministries with our communities.
-
Offers basic knowledge and skills for developing relevant ministries in the United Methodist Church.
Certified Lay Minister
The Lay Minister certification process includes two additional Modules to the Encounters, which seek to expand knowledge of the United Methodist Church and ministerial practice.
-
Presents the theology, calling, and steps for certification of the Lay Minister in the United Methodist Church.
-
Covers the four basic tasks of the Lay Minister:
Liturgy and worship
Preaching
Discipleship
Pastoral care