Lay Speaking Overview
Leading, caring, communicating: these three words found in the lay speaking logo characterize what Lay Speakers do in ministry as The United Methodist Church prepares to engage the world of the twenty-first century!
Lay Speakers are committed people as they spend a lot of time and energy preparing for ministry and serving others. lay Speakers are involved in vital caring and leading programs, "in pulpit" supply, in Bible study, or in interpreting church programs.
The Lay Speaking Ministries of The United Methodist Church have their origins in the early organization of the Wesleyan revival in England and used to be called exhorters. With far more societies than ordained clergy, John Wesley, at his mother''s urging, authorized the use of lay assistants who preached and conducted worship in the absence of clergy. Through the years, speaking from the pulpit has been one important service role of lay speakers. An early goal statement of the program was: ""No silent pulpits."" In the 1940's, the title of exhorter evolved into Lay Speaker. Through the years the rules for administering the lay speaking program have changed. The last major change was in 1984, when General Conference expanded the program to include both a local church lay speaker and a certified lay speaker.
Lay speaking is a broad avenue for ministry in and through The United Methodist Church. It is effective because people with similar interests and complementary skills can band together for training, service, accountability, and support. Lay speakers are eager to serve----with compassion, with commitment, and with skills. In many congregations and communities, they are an underutilized resource.
As leaders in the lay speaking program, your challenge is to expand the arenas in which Lay Speakers serve. List options and decide what you can do to turn several possibilities into reality. Help Lay Speakers find places to serve; encourage them to create new ministries; celebrate their effectiveness; create a firm support base for them.
Other important ministries have always been a part of lay speaking. Believe it or not today, many Lay Speakers never speak from the pulpits they now have a wide range of functions, both in the church and in the community. Most of these varied ministries fall in one of three broader categories:
Leading:
Lay Speakers combine words and actions in leadership roles within their churches and communities. Some organize new study groups or help develop forums on issues like unemployment, hunger, drug abuse, pornography, or teenage pregnancy. Some assist their congregations in examining the needs of their own communities to develop programs that address those needs. Many Lay Speakers understand their roles as members and leaders of community groups to be an extension of their lay speaking commitment to witness and service.
Caring:
As Lay Speakers combine words with deeds, they find ways to care for others. Some are involved in crisis ministries, such as visiting grieving families. Others are active in hospital volunteer work, hospital and nursing- home visitation, or working with the poor. Lay Speakers visit with prospective, inactive, and new members of their respective churches. They are involved in specialized caring ministries in their communities: programs for families of those in prison, family violence prevention, community food and clothing banks, and more. Lay Speakers share a ministry of caring one-on-one with people in times of need and in times of joy. Lay Speakers show their faith by responding to others with care----giving love and service.
Communicating
Both the Bible and Christian experience point to the importance of proclaiming God's transforming love for a broken world. The spoken word has led individuals to a new commitment to Christ and to living faithfully. Lay Speakers quite often fill pulpits and lead Bible studies; still many find other settings in which to speak such as: youth and children's groups, healthcare centers, retirement centers, prison ministries, and more. Some Lay Speakers fulfill a prophetic role by speaking out on behalf of the poor and the oppressed. Acting as a teacher or facilitator in either church or community settings is often how lay speakers use their gift of effective communication.