Lay Speakers at Work*

In their home churches, lay speakers…

• 85% chair or serve on a church committee in their home church or at the district or conference level.
• 64% teach Sunday School, Bible Study or V.B.S.
• 50% provide one-on-one caring in a care-giving institution, visitation, or evangelism.
• 44% led some form of worship, including children’s sermons.
• 40% delivered the message in a regular church service.
• 38% volunteer with a community agency or care-giving institution

Other Frequently Listed Activities:

• Delivered devotional messages
• Evangelism
• Mission trips and local outreach
• Youth groups

*Based on a 2007 survey of lay speakers’ annual reports within the North Texas Conference

All courses are taught on a rotating basis.  All United Methodist laity are welcome to participate in training to be better equipped for ministry.

From the General Board of Discipleship

• Lay Speaking Ministries: Basic Course (available in English, Spanish & Korean)

• Lay Speaking for Youth: Basic Course

• Concepts in Leadership I: Basic Refresher Course for Local Church Leaders

• A Ministry of Caring

• From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering an Effective Sermon

• Justice in Everyday Life: A Study of the UM Social Principles

• Lay Speakers Are Accountable Disciples*

• Lay Speakers Are Servant Leaders

• Lay Speakers Create Disciple-Making Faith Communities

• Lay Speakers Cultivate Christian Community

• Lay Speakers Discover Spiritual Gifts*

• Lay Speakers Grow Spiritually Through Daily Discipline*

• Lay Speakers Interpret to Others Our Methodist Heritage*

• Lay Speakers Lead Bible Study

• Lay Speakers Lead in Mission Outreach

• Lay Speakers Preach

• Lay Speakers Lead Small Groups

• Lay Speakers Teach Adults

• Lay Speakers Tell Stories

• Leading in Prayer*

• You Can Lead in Evangelism

• You Can Lead In Stewardship

• You Can Lead In Worship

* RECOMMENDED CORE COURSE TO FOLLOW BASIC

Training Developed in the North Texas Conference

• Caring for End of Life

• Caring for Those Who Grieve

• Lay Speakers Prepare to Teach

• The Organization and Polity of the UMC

• Theology for the Laity

• This Holy Mystery

• Ministry by and for the Elderly