Those who feel called to preach through pulpit supply should first follow the process to become a certified lay servant. Lay servants who are interested training to be certified lay speakers should complete the following steps:
- Talk to your pastor. You will need the recommendation of your pastor and church council or charge conference.
- Course Requirements:
- Basic Course
- Public Prayer
- Leading Worship
- United Methodist Polity
- United Methodist History
- One spiritual gifts course: Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts or For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts
- One preaching course: Called to Preach or From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering an Effective Sermon
- Request a background check ($10).
- Complete a lay speaker application.
- Signatures: When you submit your application, your pastor and church council chair will receive an email inviting them to fill out a simple form as their electronic signature to recommend you as a certified lay speaker. Be sure you are in conversation with both so they will anticipate this email.
- Interview, Recommendation, and Vote: Once all materials are received, your district committee on Lay Servant Ministries will schedule an interview with you. The district committee can then recommend you to the conference committee on Lay Servant Ministries, who can vote to grant you status as a certified lay speaker.
Learn More:
If you have any questions, reach out to your district director of Lay Servant Ministries or contact Josey Snyder, josey.snyder@nccumc.org, Associate Director of Leadership Development and Christian Formation for the North Carolina Conference.