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Local Church: Lay Leader
SPIRITUAL CONNECTION
PRIORITY
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“….all Chris ans are called to minister wherever Christ would have them serve and witness in deeds and words that heal and free” (The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church. Para. 127).
GOD
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up mee ng together, as some are in the habit of doing, but lets encourage one another….” (Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV).
PHYSICAL CONNECTION
CCONNECT WITHIN CONFERENCE
Y BISHOP CConference Lay Leader Associate Conference Lay Leader
District Superintendents District Lay Leaders Pastors of Local Churches Local Church Lay Leaders Pastoral Leadership Conference Laity
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CCONNECT WITHIN DISTRICT
District Superintendent District Lay Leader
Local Church Pastor Local Church Lay Leader
BOOK OF DISCIPLINE 2008 – P. 165 – PARA 251…………….2012 – P.177 – 251
Du es of Leaders and Members:
“Out of the professing membership of each local church (para.127)there shall be elected by the charge conference a lay leader who shall func on as the primary lay representa ve of the laity in that local church and shall have the following responsibili es:
a. Fostering awareness of the role of the laity both within the congrega on and through their ministries in the home, workplace, community, and world, and finding ways within the community of faith to recognize all these ministries; b. Meeting regularly with the pastor to discuss the state of the church, and the needs for ministry;
(con nued)
c. Membership in the charge conference and the church council, the commi ee on finance, the commi ee on nomina ons and leadership development, and the commi ee on pastor-parish rela ons or staff-parish rela ons, where, along with the pastor, the lay leader shall serve as an interpreter of the ac ons and programs of the annual conference and the general church (to be be er equipped to comply with this responsibility, it is recommended that a lay leader also serve as a lay member to annual conference): d. Con nuing involvement in study and training opportuni es to develop a growing understanding of the Church’s reason for existence and the types of ministry that will most effec vely fulfill the Church’s mission; e. Assis ng in advising the church council of opportuni es available and the needs expressed for a more effec ve ministry of the church through its laity in the community. f. Informing the laity of training opportuni es provided by the annual conference. Where possible, the lay leader shall a end training opportuni es in order to strengthen his or her work. The lay leader is urged to become a cer fied lay speaker.
In instances where more than one church is on a charge, the charge conference shall elect addi onal lay leaders so that there will be one lay leader in each church. Associate lay leaders may be elected to work with the lay leader in any local church.
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LEADERSHIP FORUM G R O W T H
Do not be so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your a en on on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it……. God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. Romans 12:2 (The Message, Peterson)
THE ROLE OF THE LOCAL CHURCH LAY LEADER
ADVOCATE MODEL DISCIPLESHIP BUILD AWARENESS RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE MEET WITH PASTOR SERVE ON COMMITTEES STUDY ASSIST THE COUNCIL INFORM LAITY OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
ADVOCATE:
• Professing member of the congrega on • Person of faith and integrity • Representa ve, an “extension, of the congrega on in the community to work to enhance or improve it • Inspire the congrega on to care for the needs of the community beyond the walls of the church
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MODEL DISCIPLESHIP: • Personal devo ons • Engage in spiritual prac ces • Visibility in discipleship • Mentor Your text here
FORMED BY THE SCRIPTURE
GOAL UNDER PERSONAL GROWTH THROUGH FORMATIONAL BIBLE STUDY LEADS TO ENGAGING IN SPIRITUAL PRACTICES THAT LEAD TO DISCIPLESHIP MODELING THAT LEADS TO MENTORING OTHERS in order for others to desire to know God and become Disciples of Jesus Christ!
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BUILD AWARENESS:
• Be a leadership example • Foster awareness of ministry of laity through ministry in the home, workplace, community, and the world • Recognize the steady ministry of groups and individuals who live out their faith • Encourage church members to use their skills • Encourage church member to discover and use their spiritual gi s. Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-10, 28-30 and Ephesians 4:11-13.
RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE:
• Observe Laity Sunday, annually, usually the third Sunday of October • Invite community groups such as fire fighter, teachers, or city workers to worship and recognize their work as ministry • Be sensi ve to interfaith issues in your hospitality • Recognize laity who have become lay speakers and announce training events for all laity • Prepare visual displays that celebrate the ministries of the laity within and beyond the 4 walls of your church • Regularly promote special opportuni es for service and mission projects.
MEET WITH THE PASTOR:
• Meet regularly (suggest no less than once a month OR as requested by pastor) to pray and discuss the state of the congrega on and needs of ministry within and outside of the congrega on
• Be a healthy connec on between the pastor and the congrega on
• Recognize that TRUST is the essence of this rela onship with your pastor as well as all rela onships
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SERVE ON VARIOUS COMMITTEES:
STUDY:
ü Read and study the Bible.
ü Form and/or be a part of a Christlike Love Unit.
ü Read the South Georgia Advocate (online available through connec onal ministries.)
ü Read “The Interpreter/The Advance” (can be ordered online or free through your pastor who can order mul ple hard copies free to your church address.) See your pastor or: www.twi er.com/interpretermag h p://www.interpretermagazine.org/
ASSIST CHURCH COUNCIL:
1. With Internal workings of the church 2. With External workings of the church (secular world) 3. Interpre ng mission and ministry of the congrega on to the community
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Available from www.cokesbury.com
Excellent resource for addi onal informa on on Connec ng your Congrega on and Your Annual Conference and for Laity in general. Guidelines for Lay Leader/Lay Member and Laity in general. All churches should make this available. Check on downloadability.
The 2012 Book of Discipline is available through Cokesbury.
A Lay Leader is con nually involved in learning about the church and community and, at the same me, developing learning opportuni es for the congrega on, to the end that the church grows in fulfilling its mission.
Be alert for leadership poten al within the congrega on and give others the chance to lead. Listen for posi ve and nega ve a tudes and prejudices. Provide this informa on sensi vely to the pastor and the lay leadership commi ee.
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You are a “go-to” person – a problem solver and a healer. You do not infringe on the PPR commi ee’s turf, but may help solve a problem before it goes too far.
Be acquainted with the sequence of a worship service. You should be able to lead the service if need be. Your pastor should have a “Book of Worship” with which you should become familiar in the event you do not have anything else to go by. Lay Speakers could use one in case of emergencies. It does not hurt to read a prayer, read one you have wri en, or pray as you feel comfortable and led to pray. All of us are in different stages of spiritual growth. Let God help you grow in this area! Worship leaders should be encouraged from the laity in your congrega on.
You and your pastor should be able to communicate well enough to know each other’s thoughts. You may need to be the pastor’s pastor if the need arises. Have a sermon ready and be able to follow an order of worship.
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Being a pastor is stressful as are a lot of jobs. Your pastor needs to be affirmed and o en as well as his family. Think of mes when your pastor has enlightened you and let them know it! Pray for them always! Maybe they will do the same thing in return.
You go places and approach people not available to clergy. Be alert to what is happening “out there” on the playgrounds, in the homes, and in the workplace that needs God’s love that only You might be able to show! Listen and share with your pastor.
Keep the pastor informed of the spirit, morale, and a tude in the congrega on There are mes when we all need to be li ed up and THANK GOD for our church body that can be a most important source for that comfort.
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Take the training available to be a cer fied Lay Speaker. Your District Superintendent can guide you to the source. You may need to fill in on a moment’s no ce for the pastor.
Help assimilate new members into the congrega on and help them get involved in church ac vi es.
A Lay Leader is a good listener and learns what members are thinking and what their dreams and wishes are for the church. A Lay Leader is an AGENT OF CHANGE and recognizes when it is me to permit a ministry to fade away.
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BLESSINGS!
Do not be weary when working to Grow, Be, and Do as a Lay Leader Disciple of Jesus Christ BECAUSE in time you will reap the benefits of what you have sown if you do not let discouragement get you down. Always trust God and do not depend upon your understanding of all things but be still and listen and you will be able to know what God’s plan is for YOU!
Heavenly Father, place your hand of guidance upon those who have par cipated in this presenta on. Throughout Biblical history, laity have been given the responsibility of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ through all means possible. May we con nue this spiritual journey as we share the message in our me. May we be found faithful. In the name of You, God, our Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Presented by a lay member of the South Georgia Conference and a Disciple of Jesus Christ, in the growth process.
Please contact the office of Connec onal Ministries for addi onal contact informa on. www.sgaumc.org
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