LAY SERVANT MINISTRIES
District Lay Servant Training
Lay Servant Training hosted by the Harpeth River District:
The Harpeth river expects to host the basic course in spring 2026 and advanced courses in 2026.
Certified Lay Servants and Certified Lay Speakers are expected to complete an advanced course every 3 years to maintain their certification. Certified Lay ministers are expected to complete an advanced course every 2 years to maintain their certification.
Online Trainings:
BeADisciple.com offers advanced, online Lay Servant courses to become or maintain your certification as a Certified Lay Servant, a Certified Lay Minister, and a Certified Lay Minister. From transformative leadership to impactful worship, our certified programs empower you to excel. Stay current, stay certified – invest in your ministry today!
Trainings in other Districts:
The Red River District will host the Basic Course and advanced courses “From Pew to Pulpit” and “Shaping the Prayers of the People: the Art of Intercession” at Hilldale UMC in Clarksville TN on September 27 & October 4. More info here.
WHAT IS A LAY SERVANT?
LAY SERVANT MINISTRIES is a leadership development program in The United Methodist Church focused on equipping and empowering laypersons who have responded to the call of God to serve in mission and ministry.
These laypersons are called to live out their own discipleship as servants in leadership through the ministries of leading, caring, and communicating.
Being called to ministry is a serious endeavor. It takes a disciple to make a disciple. Thus we must do all we can to prepare ourselves and others to serve.
The United Methodist Church has established three categories for laypersons in the area of lay servant ministries to develop, prepare, and engage principled Christian leaders for the mission of making disciples for the transformation of the world:
• Certified Lay Servant
• Certified Lay Speaker
• Certified Lay Minister
Certified lay servants who wish to develop their skills further may choose a track to become certified as lay speakers (those who are called specifically to pulpit supply) or as lay ministers (those who are called to long-term, intentional ministry as part of a ministry team).