printer-friendly email a friend

Lay Speaking Ministries

How often and in how many ways are you called? We, as United Methodists, believe our faith must be lived out in our lives and in the life of the world if it is to have any validity. Consequently, our faith must be a living, vital, acting faith that seeks to transform the world or, to use a phrase of Wesley's, "to spread Scriptural holiness over the land."  (Lay Speaking Ministries Basic Course)
 
Becoming a certified lay speaker in the United Methodist Church prepares a person for ministry in whatever area they choose. Lay Speaking Ministries involves Leading, Caring, and Communicating. A certified lay speaker may choose to lead a Bible study, start a prayer ministry, teach Sunday school, participate in a prison ministry or visit the elderly and shut-ins and the nursing home. The sky is the limit for ways and opportunities to minister.

Each district usually has two training events a year. They offer a Basic Course for those just beginning in the Lay Speaking Ministries. After the Basic Course, you must complete an Advanced Course to become a Certified Lay Speaker. Certified Lay Speakers must complete an Advanced Course every three years in order to remain certified. (Click here for a current listing of class topics available for Advanced Certification Training.)

Following is a directory of District Directors of Lay Speaking Ministries.  These persons, or your District Superintendent, will be happy to talk with you about training to become a lay speaker in the United Methodist Church.

Ashland District - Ed Shytle 

Bowling Green District - Nancy D. Wetzel

Columbia District - Jayne Squires

Corbin District - Patricia Colwell

Covington District - Rev. Brian Wilson

Elizabethtown District - Ken Vowels

Frankfort District - J. Henry Duncan 

Lexington District - Sheila Price

Louisville District - Bob Boutell

Madisonville District - Jeri Parish

Owensboro District - Fred Goodwin

Prestonsburg District - Linda Gayheart

The 2004 Book of Discipline is a good source for learning more about the requirements and the structure of Lay Speaking Ministries. You are encouraged to read paragraphs 267, 268, and 269 to assist you in making a decision to become a lay speaker.

We invite you and encourage you to become a part of this wonderful ministry of the United Methodist Church.