Educational Standards

Educational Standards for Certified Lay Speakers

To earn a certificate as a Lay Speaker, a person needs theoretical and practical training in close connection with the local church where the person is a member. The purpose is to develop skills for leadership of the spoken word and care-giving ministry in the local congregation.

A training course for certified Lay Speakers must include:

Bible study:
Introduction to Old and New Testaments; self-studies of the Bible; use of commentaries and Bible dictionaries

Spoken communication
Personal testimonies, Biblical meditations, addresses and sermons, as well as conduct of worship and devotion

Leadership
Church and community leadership, including leading of small group meetings for prayer, training, study, and discussion

Care-giving ministry
Counselling, spiritual advice, visiting and pastoral care Methodist theology Doctrinal standards of The United Methodist Church, BoD 2016: § 102 – 166, (Doctrinal Standards and Our Theological Task, The ministry of all Christians and Social Principles), A Methodist presentation of the Christian faith and selected Wesley Standard Sermons.

Methodist polity
Connectional structure, organization, and church culture

Methodist history
Methodist history in England, America, Northern Europe, and the local area (nation).

The United Methodist Theological Seminaries within the Central Conference, the Annual Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, or
another board or agency authorized by the Annual Conference develop the curriculum with literature available in each national language and
the framework of time for the total training course:
Either
- a training course based on part time studies over minimum 20 two-
hours course days spread over 2 years, under the leadership of the
ordained Elder in charge,
Or
- a training course scheduled as a one-year full time bible school.
Or
- a training course based on a combination of self-studies and seminars planed for all lay speakers of an Annual Conference by a Theological Seminary, or the Board of Ordained Ministry.

The training course may be open to any active member, but license as a lay speaker is depending on the recommendation of the Elder in charge and the sanction of the Charge Conference. License is given by the District Superintendent.