LAY LEADERLAY MEMBER Connecting the visions and plans

LAY LEADER/LAY MEMBER Connecting the visions and plans of your congregation and your annual conference. By Sandy Zeigler Jackson

Our Identity, Call, and Mission • “The mission of the church is to make disciples of • • Jesus Christ. ” “Local churches provide the most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs. ” Church is not only local but global Organizational structure Our mission (Book of Discipline) (Book of Discipline, 2004, ¶ 120) – – – Proclaim the gospel Welcome people into the body of Christ Lead people to God Nurture people in Christian living Send them out into the world

Called to Spiritual Leadership 1. You are a spiritual leader 2. Keep the Main Thing – the MAIN THING 3. Cultivate Vision & Mission 4. Christian Conferencing

Called to Love and Serve • Local Church’s Charge Conference • Lay Leader serve as Lay Member to Annual Conference (Recommended in Book of Discipline) • Responsibilities to Annual Conference – Interpret the actions and programs – Communicate the vision and needs of the local church • Linkage – – Lay Leader – link local church with community Lay Member – link local church to connectional church (worldwide) • Annual Conference – Unique geographic area – Annual meeting of the lay and clergy members of geographic area – Book of Discipline ¶ 251 (Lay Leader) ¶ 602. 4(Lay Member) • Book of Discipline – sets forth the law of the church

The Role of the Lay Leader • • • Advocacy Modeling Discipleship Building Awareness Recognize and Celebrate the Ministry of the Laity Meet with the Pastor Serve on Various Committees • • • Study Inform Laity of educational opportunities Assist the Council – – – Charge Conference Church Council Finance Committee Nominations and Leadership Development Committee Staff/Pastor – Parish Relations Committee

District and Conference Lay Leaders • District Lay Leader – – Counterpart of Lay Leader in local church Works in partnership with District Superintendent Charged with training local church lay leaders Fosters the role of laity in congregations, workplaces, homes, and communities – Supports and enables lay participation in the planning and decision making in district – District lay leader relates to organizational groups within the district (Lay Speaking, UMM, UMW, UMY)

Continued… • Annual Conference Lay Leader – Works in partnership with the Bishop to represent the interest of laity – Relates to organized groups of laity – Advocates for lay ministries and promotes the role of laity

The Role of Lay Member of Annual Conference • Requirements – – – A professing member In good standing for at least one year Active participant for at least four-years • Role of the Lay Member – – – – Participates in annual conference sessions Votes on all matters except ministerial relations Reports to congregation and church council Interprets actions of annual conference to congregation Serves as member of staff/pastor-parish relations committee Serves as a member of church council Serves as a member of finance committee

Continued… • Responsibilities v Prepare for annual conference 1. Study pre-conference journal and materials 2. Attend pre-conference district meetings 3. Understand conference process for conducting business 4. Develop general knowledge of the Book of Discipline 5. Meet with pastor, lay leader and congregation members to discuss issues v Participate During Annual Conference 1. Attend laity session 2. Participate in all sessions dealing with annual conference business 3. Listen to proceedings in order to make informed decisions 4. Participate in all worship experiences 5. Attend plenary and Bible Study sessions 6. Explore the resource display to gather information and ideas for ministry

Continued… v Serve After Annual Conference 1. Share information about experience 2. Search web sites and general church news sources for information to share throughout the year General Conference -- meets every 4 years

The Responsibilities of Lay Leader/Lay Member • Duel role encouraged by the Discipline – Serve in partnership with pastor and staff – Meet regularly with the pastor – Serve as a member of charge conference, church council, finance committee, lay leadership committee, staff/pastor-parish relations committee – Study and attend training to understand the church’s reason for existence – Inform laity of educational opportunities - Lay Speaking – Model Christian discipleship and grow in faith – Participate in annual conference sessions – Report to the congregation on the annual conference

Improving Your Leadership “Lifelong process of study, prayer and discernment. ” • Servant Leadership Ø Characteristics Ø Servant hood • Spiritual Gifts Ø Variety of gifts Ø Variety of services Ø Variety of activities You will want to: ØUse a spiritual gifts assessment tool ØDiscover your area of ministry ØSeek ways to use gifts ØThank God as you receive/recognize your gifts ØHelp others discover their spiritual gifts

Continued… • Lay Speaking Ministries Ø UM system for Lay Leadership development Ø Lay speaker is a professing member of a local church Ø Lay speaker provides leadership in congregation Ø Dedicated to leading, communicating, caring Ø Local church lay speakers serve in local church Ø Certified lay speakers “serve beyond the local church” Ø Director of Lay Speaking Ø Where did lay speaking come from? Ø Why become a lay speaker? • Certified Lay Minister

Continued… • Spiritual Disciplines Ø Life focused on devotion to God Ø Wesleyan Means of Grace 1. Prayer 2. Bible reading 3. Fasting 4. Holy Communion or Eucharist 5. Christian conferencing 6. Worship 7. Family devotions 8. Acts of piety and works of mercy Ø Cultivate relationship with God to lead others in spiritual growth

v. Accountability - Covenant Discipleship Christian Conferencing/Leading Meetings Working Together in Ministry “Called to represent Christ to others” “All called to serve God in the priestly work of ministry” • Mutual Interdependence • New Ways to Work --Leadership Covenant -- Leading Change -- Appreciative Inquiry

Skills for Shared Ministry • Communication with the pastor 1. Regular meetings 2. Building a partnership with the pastor • • Understand the location of the congregation Understand the people and their history Learn by asking how the pastor sees God moving in the community Pray with and for the pastor Speak honestly with the pastor (giving/receiving feedback) Support the pastor and encourage other laity to do the same Communication skills 1. 2. 3. Active listening Understand body language Checklist for good communication • Conflict and Mediation Skills

JUSTPEACE CENTER • Prepare for Conflict Transformation • Engage Others in Conflict Transformation 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Create well, not a wall Allow the well to fill Be well prepared Be well Create a common well together Share the well Drink deeply together Let it flow Be well together

Resources Leadership Development and Spiritual Formation • The Academy for Spiritual Formation • The Walk to Emmaus Leader Renewal and Training • • Print Resources for the Lay Leader Servant Leadership Spiritual Gifts Spiritual Disciplines Christian Conferencing Change/Conflict Lay Speaking Courses and Resources