Lay Servant Ministries is one of the most significant lay leadership development programs available within The United Methodist Church. Through opportunities to be equipped and empowered, lay servants grow as disciples of Jesus Christ and are encouraged to go forth and make disciples.

Lay Servant Ministries provides training and experiences that equip disciples to recognize and respond to their personal call to ministry. Our Conference Committee coordinates training opportunities for laypeople across the Northern Illinois Conference through our District Lay Academies.

The United Methodist Church has established three categories for laypersons within Lay Servant Ministries, designed to develop, prepare, and engage principled Christian leaders for the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world: Certified Lay Servant, Certified Lay Speaker, and Certified Lay Minister.

See the forms and resources below for more information on the Lay Servant Certification Process, including requirements to become a Certified Lay Speaker.

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Forms

All Lay Servants, Lay Speakers, and Lay Ministers must submit an annual report of their ministry activities at their Church/Charge Conference. The annual Lay Servant Ministries Forms that are submitted at your Charge/Church Conference are found in your People Portal. 

Click here to access your People Portal. 

 

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Resources

In 2016 the General Conference of The United Methodist Church approved legislation to change paragraphs related to Lay Servant Ministries and Certified Lay Ministry to bring about clarity, consistency, and collaboration. The adopted legislation streamlines and simplifies the processes for people to become certified lay servants, certified lay speakers, and certified lay ministers. This will bring the number of categories to three: certified lay servant, certified lay speaker, and certified lay minister. These changes are reflected in the new brochure. Click to download.

• Certification Guidelines
• 2023 Lay Servant Resources
• Lay-Speaker-Flow-Chart-2016 
• Lay-Minister-Flow-Chart-2016
• Certified Lay Servant Flow Chart – 2016
   

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Lay Servant Academy

The Lay Servant Academy is a comprehensive developmental program for laity that helps people identify their calls to ministry and develop skills in caring, leading and communicating ministries. It is often the turning point for lay people who are seeking to offer significant service to both church and community. Training sessions are held throughout the conference. If you feel called to serve your church in a more formal leadership position, we hope you’ll join the 600+ Lay Servants in our conference.

You may participate in any District’s Academy, regardless of what District in which you currently reside or are a member.

Please visit our calendar for Lay Academy dates, course options, and more information.

If you are interested in becoming a Certified Lay Minister, please fill out the interest form. The committee is working to begin a new CLM class in spring 2027.

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Contacts:

Conference Director of Lay Servants: Kim Emery   

Lake North District
- Director: Shaun Barton 
- Dean: Ellen Feliciano

Lake South District
- Director: Irma Clark 
- Dean: Selena Roberts

Prairie Central District
- Director: Rae Kipper 
- Dean: Mary Mecker

Prairie North District
- Director: Mo Emery      
- Dean: Brenda Morris

Prairie South District
- Director: Alex Wilson
- Dean: Marcia Peddicord

Spanish Language
- Coordinator: Audrey Rochet