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Certified Lay Minister

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

What is a Certified Lay Minister?

The 2004 General Conference affirmed the certification of Certified Lay Ministers in the United Methodist Church.

This form of ministry follows the early Methodist tradition of lay preachers and class leaders who served in Christian communities Certified Lay Ministers (CLM) are vital to the mission and ministry of churches that:

are small and may be struggling to afford traditional pastoral leadership. CLMs may be assigned for longer pastorates
have been on multi-point charges
parishes are sharing clergy leadership
CLMs may serve as part of a pastoral team
Are increasing continuity of leadership
Are experiencing numeric growth and can benefit from a pastoral team. Larger churches can have a CLM as a pastoral associate.
Are serving multi-cultural or cross-cultural groups by developing indigenous leadership.

Who Can Apply?

A Certified Lay Speaker or a person with equivalent training (Licensing School or seminary coursework) may be certified as a certified lay minister by the District
Committee on Ordained Ministry.

Steps to Certification

Local Church Recommendation Written recommendation of the Pastor and supporting vote of the Church Council or Church Conference where
he/she holds membership.
Complete Coursework for CLM
Module I: Covenant for Ministry
Module II: Practice of Ministry
Module III: Organization of Ministry
Module IV: Connection and Ministry
Module V: Experiential Learning
Meet with your District Superintendent to discuss certification and ministry opportunities in the District. After completion of appropriate screening and assessment, a person requests a letter of recommendation from his/her District Superintendent.
Apply in writing to the District Committee on Ordained Ministry for approval as a Certified Lay Minister.

Recertification

The CLM may be re-certified by the District Committee on Ordained Ministry every 2 years after:

A successful ministry program
Recommendation from Charge Conference
Completion of Continuing Education
Recommendation of District Superintendent

Pastoral Leadership

A Certified Lay Minister is assigned by the District Superintendent to provide lay pastoral leadership.

CLMs have no clergy rights or benefits. The local church is encouraged to cover appropriate expenses of the CLM as negotiated (mileage, supplies, continuing education)