Certified Lay Ministers  

District Superintendents may also assign a Certified Lay Minister (CLM) to a local church or charge. The CLM maintains ongoing accountability to the supervising clergy, the District Superintendent, the District Committee on Ordained Ministry, and the Conference Committee on Lay Servant Ministries.

Required Courses

• Lay Servant Requirements + 6 courses + 4 Modules
  • Basic Course
  • Spiritual Gifts
  • Deeper into the Bible
  • Preaching
  • Leading Worship
  • Leading Public Prayer
  • United Methodist Heritage
  • United Methodist Polity
  • CLM Training Program, includes 4 modules, each covering a different facet of ministry
    • Connection for Ministry
    • Organization for Ministry
    • The Practice of Ministry
    • Call and Covenant to Ministry

Other Requirements

• Must be a member of the Local Church
• Recommendation of Pastor
• Conference LSM Committee interview and approval
• District Committee on Ordained Ministry (DCOM) interview and approval

Requirements for Recertification

• Lay Minister Certification/Recertification Application & Annual Report
• Advanced Education course every year at minimum
• Interview with DCOM

Lay Minister Certification Checklist

LSM Certification Requirements Handout

Other links:

Course Schedule

Lay Servant Ministries Homepage

Lay Servant Track

Lay Speaker Track