Certified lay ministers serve in ongoing, long-term assignments, and certification provides laypersons the training, support, supervision, and accountability needed to fulfill their various roles. To ensure the continued effectiveness of the ministry and ministry teams, certified lay ministers participate in a regular review process. This process affords the opportunity to review, revise, and align ministries with the mission and vision of the church and to renew or revise ministry teams.

In order to remain active and in good standing as certified lay ministers, the following review and renewal process should be followed:

Every Year:

1. Ministry Covenant: Review the ministry covenant with your mutual ministry team.
2. Annual Report: Complete the online annual report. The report runs on a July-June cycle, and thus should be completed after July 1 and before charge conference meets each year.
3. Charge Conference: Be sure your name is listed in the Charge Conference paperwork as a continuing CLM. If you are afforded the opportunity, take a few minutes at Charge Conference to share with your church about your work and ministry as a CLM.

Every Two Years:

1. Advanced Course: Complete a Lay Servant Ministries advanced course or approved substitute (see guidelines for substituting an alternative course).
2. Background Check: Request a background check. This can be done anytime before your interview with the district committee on ordained ministry (usually in the fall of your renewal year).
3. Ministry Review: Obtain a ministry review from the committee on pastor-parish relations, church council, or charge conference from the congregation where the CLM is assigned (or, if not assigned, from the congregation where the CLM is a member).
4. Recommendation Signatures: After you submit your annual report in the summer and enter the contact information requested, the conference office will reach out to your pastor, church council chair, and district superintendent for electronic signatures on your recommendation for recertification. This step should be complete before your interview with the district committee on ordained ministry.
5. Interview: Interview with the district committee on ordained ministry (dCOM). This committee’s role is to recommend you for recertification to the conference committee on Lay Servant Ministries.
6. Final Approval: Once all of your materials toward recertification are complete, the conference committee on Lay Servant Ministries will review your file and vote on recertification. This meeting usually happens in the late fall, after all charge conferences are complete.