Certified Lay Minister (information pamphlet in pdf)
The Certified Lay Minister is a new lay position for pastoral leadership in The United Methodist Church authorized by the 2004 General Conference.

Communication Tools for Lay Members to Annual Conference
Lay members to annual conference are elected to represent a congregation in setting the conference's direction for mission and ministry. Each lay member will join other lay and clergy members in a time to worship God, learn about ministry God is calling the church to lead, set direction for the church, meet other United Methodists, and tend to administrative matters for ministry. The lay member has a responsibility to inform others in the local church about the experience. Here are some tools that will help.

Four Tools for Lay Leader Selection

Job Descriptions & Leadership Training for Local Church Leaders 2009-2012
By Betsey Heavner (Discipleship Resources, 2009)
In addition to individual positions within congregational life, the book explores biblical roots and dimensions of leader development. It includes new thinking based on field research and training leaders in a variety of settings.

Lay Leader/Lay Member
Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation (PowerPoint)
Download and share this PowerPoint presentation that explains your role as Lay Leader or Lay Member in the church.

Lay Ministry Equipping Resources 2009 (Catalog in pdf format)
This catalog offers our latest resources designed to equip laity for their roles in ministry as disciples.

On Greeting Persons With Disabilities: A Suggestion Manual for Ushers and Greeters
An understanding of the varied needs of persons with disabilities will help ushers and greeters become more comfortable in their jobs. This article answers the questions, "What is appropriate?" and "What do I do in case of an emergency?"

Preparing and Celebrating New Lay Leadership — Suggested Hymns and Prayers
(Please note: This article is a supplementary piece to "Preparing and Celebrating New Lay Leadership in the January 2005 issue of Interpreter magazine.)

The Retreat Leader's Manual: A Complete Guide to Organizing Meaningful Christian Retreat (available now from Discipleship Resources)
By Nancy Ferguson and Kevin Witt
The Retreat Leader’s Manual offers a practical guidebook for those leading retreats, including the nuts and bolts of how to plan a budget, the right questions to ask about a potential retreat site, and ideas for making Bible study and worship memorable for persons of many ages.

Robert's Rules of Order Motions Chart
Based on Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (10th Edition)
Prepared by Parliamentary Consultant Jim Slaughter

The Things I Learned at Annual Conference
(Report forms in pdf format)
Responsibilities of the lay members to annual conference include reporting and interpreting the actions and other information to the congregation. You may write a story for your church newsletter, make one or more presentations to the congregation during worship, report to the administrative council, or use a combination of these ways. Complete these forms as the conference progresses. There is one for each day. Then use your organized notes to prepare your report. (Forms courtesy of Mark Rehn, Communications Director, Western Pennsylvania Conference.)