Certified Lay Minister
Over the past several months there has been some turmoil within the Stephen Ministry program at Resurrection. Part of the hope for the future is to have an active lay ministry program that functions effectively within the Pastorates - which is model of care at Resurrection that "has been designed to encourage every person in our church family to identify with a specific “primary care pastor” to help ensure that great pastoral care is received." For a PDF file about the Pastorates, click here.
As a pastor of Congregational Care, I have been involved in the ongoing conversations about Stephen Ministry and the future of care at Resurrection. While I have been thinking about what might be the most effective way of providing care for the congregation, I have encountered the Certified Lay Minister. Certified Lay Ministers are a new lay position introduced by General Conference in 2004 - Book of Discipline, par 272. More information...
Certified Lay Ministry Information
“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."
What do you think?
Do you have any experience with Certified Lay Ministry?
What are your thoughts about the potential for this type of position?
How could this position be utilized in your current setting?