District Lay Speaking
LAMOINE RIVER DISTRICT LAY SPEAKING MINISTRIES
Did You Know? - The Lay Speaking Ministries is more than filling the pulpit!
The 3 main focuses of the Lay Speaking Ministries are:
Leading: exploring ways to expand and use our talents in our local churches and in our district.
Communicating: speaking the Word through pulpit supply, teaching, nursing home services.
Caring: recognizing the needs of our congregations and communities and how we can help meet those needs.
Lay Speakers can become:
Local Church Lay Speakers - who, upon approval by their pastor and congregation, attend the district basic school and serve their local churches in expanded roles (which could include pulpit supply). Local church lay speakers are required to complete a refresher course provided by the district (5 hours of instruction) at least once every three years to remain in the lay speaking ministry. Local Church Lay Speakers must complete a Lay Speakers’ Annual Report and be approved annually at their charge conferences.
- OR –
Certified Lay Speakers – who attend the district basic school first and then, with approval of their pastor, congregation and the district committee, attend an advanced class and serve the district in expanded roles (which could include pulpit supply). Certified lay speakers are required to attend an advanced school (10 hours of instruction) at least once every three years to retain their certification. Certified Lay Speakers must complete a Lay Speakers’ Annual Report and be approved annually at their charge conferences.
The Lamoine River District Lay Speaking Ministries offers Basic School each Spring for persons who are interested in exploring this ministry and who are approved for attendance by their local congregations and pastors. The 3 full-day alternating Saturday sessions for 2013 are: February 16, March 2 and March 16 with a worship/commitment service on Sunday evening, March 24th at 7:00 p.m. All classes and the graduation/worship service will be held at the Pittsfield United Methodist Church.
The 2012 Advanced Class for Certified Lay Speakers and Refresher Course for Local Church Lay Speakers will be held Saturday, September 22nd at the Koinonia Retreat Center south of Jacksonville, IL. All certified lay speakers and local church lay speakers who have been approved by their churches and the district committee will receive a registration form in early August.
IMPORTANT: All current and prospective lay speakers MUST complete a Lay Speaker’s Annual Report and be approved by their charge conference or ad council. Lay speakers receive a copy of the Annual Report annually by mail from the district director. Additional copies may be found in pastors’ charge conference packets or on the igrc.org website. For more information on the district lay speaking program, contact Peg Ratliff, District Director, at 217-833-2377 or pegrat04@hotmail.com
For more information on the basic class or the lay speaking ministries, in general, please contact Peg Ratliff, District Director, LaMoine River District Lay Speaking Ministries at 217-833-2377 or pegrat04@hotmail.com
