Small Church Joychurches

Home     Four Models    Addenda     Recruiting Pastors     Contact Us     Authors

Recruiting Pastors

    It is crucial that we in small and larger churches encourage lay folks to think about starting the process for "Certified Lay Minister" and "Local Pastor." (These are described in para.271 of the 2008 UMC Discipline.) One of the leading reasons that small churches close is the lack of pastoral leadership. 
    We need to set up workshops inviting church leaders to give serious consideration to either of these avenues to pastoral leadership.  "The Certified Lay Minister" copied below in total from the Discipline, should get top billing since it is not as intensive a program as the "Local Pastor License."  While it does not allow the person to perform the sacraments as in the "Local Pastor" it provides a pastoral presence in the community and the person receives a salary.   If our goal is to slow down the closing of small churches, we should get serious about pastoral recruitment with PR, worshops, study and prayer. 


Addendum II

    Certified Lay Minister. In order to enhance the quality of ministry to small membership churches, expand team ministry in churches and in deference to and expression of gifts and evidence of God's grace associated with the lay ministry of early Methodism, the certified lay minister is to be recognized and utilized.

1.The certified lay minister shall preach the Word, provide a care ministry to the congregation, assist in program leadership, and be a witness in the community for the growth, missional and connectional thrust of the United Methodist Church as part of a ministry team with the supervision and support of the clergy person.

2.A certified lay speaker of a person with equivalent training as defined by his/her district or conference may be certified as a lay minister by the District Committee on Ordained Ministry after he/she has:
a) Been recommended by the paster of the local church where he/she holds membership and by vote of the Church Council or Charge Conference.
b) Completed courses relevant to his/her assignment including preaching and exegesis, the care of the congregation, and other courses as recommended by the General Board of Discipleship and General Board of Higher Education and Ministry in consultation with leaders in the annual conference, and other appropriate Agencies and organizations.
c) Demonstrated appreciation of the history, polity, doctrine, worship and liturgy of the United Methodist Church through service in his/her local church.
d) Been recommended by the District Superintendent after completion of appropriate screening.
e) Made application in writing to the District Committee on Ordained Ministry.
f) Appeared before the District Committee on Ordained Ministry for review and approval.

3.The certified lay minister is to apply in writing for recertification bi-annually to the District Committee on Ordained Ministry upon:
a) Ministry Review by Church Council or Charge Conference from the congregation of which he/she is a member.
b) Satisfactory completion of an approved Continued Education event, and
c) Recommendation of the District Superintendent.

4.The certified lay minister under assignment is to appear bi-annually before the District Committee on Ordained Ministry for recertification after:
a) Ministry Review by Church Council or Charge Conference where assigned,
b) Satisfactory completion of an approved Continuing Education event, and
c) Recommendation of the District Superintendent.

5.Transfer of Certification by certified Lay Ministers
A certified lay minister who moves may transfer certification to the new district upon receipt of a letter from the previous district's Committee on Ordained Ministry confirming current certification.

6.The certified lay minister is a lay person and as such is not eligible for support by equitable compensations funds or pension which are provided for clergy members. The local congregation is encouraged to provide appropriate compensation.

Addendum VIII

THE LOCAL PASTOR

Introduction: In Addendum II is a complete copy of the material for becoming a Certified Lay Minister in Paragraph 272 of the Book of Discipline of the Uniter Methodist Church. We chose this idea since the General Conference created this path of pastoral leadership for “...small membership churches...”

However, some United Methodist may want to consider the path of Local Pastor.

The Local Pastor is authorized to perform the ordinances and sacraments of the church. The path to the license is more demanding. Many have been using this road to leadership who are still in their active work life. It also can become a spring board to full ordination.

Requirements to Earn a Local Pastor License: (See the Discipline paragraphs 310, 311, 315, and 316.)

The following are some of the highlights of this path to pastoral leadership:

  1. Examine your understanding of God, grace, the fruits of the Holy Spirit as listed in para. 310:1-3)

  2. Contact pastor or district superintendent if heeding the call to servant leadership to learn of the process to license for Local Pastor. (see paragraph 310, 1 and 2) This step includes the completion of the Candidacy Guidebook with the mentor.

  3. A review of one's personal gifts for ministry including notarized statements of the purity of character in issues of felonies, sexual misconduct, child abuse, etc.

  4. Progress of candidates annually in the various stages of Conference studies and reports to the district committee on ordained ministry.