{"id":1082,"date":"2017-05-10T10:24:34","date_gmt":"2017-05-10T14:24:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/?page_id=1082"},"modified":"2026-06-09T13:01:24","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T17:01:24","slug":"certified-lay-minister","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/certified-lay-minister\/","title":{"rendered":"Certified Lay Minister"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Certified Lay Minister<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Equipped for Long-Term Ministry Roles as Part of a Ministry Team<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Certified lay ministers (CLMs) are laity who respond to God\u2019s call through a sustained commitment to ministry in the local church and community. Some CLMs serve as lay pastors of congregations, while others lead specialized ministries shaped by the needs of their church or community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CLMs model the importance of laity-clergy partnership, serving under the supervision of a clergy mentor. During training, CLMs build a team including their pastor and a few other laity from their congregation to develop a covenant for shared ministry together. The district superintendent also serves in a role of oversight and affirmation throughout the process.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A Ministry of the Church<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
What Do CLMs Do?<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
History and Purpose<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Getting Started<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
FAQ<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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A Ministry of the Church<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Certified lay ministry is not an individual pursuit but a shared work of the church. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those exploring certified lay ministry begin with the affirmation and endorsement of their local church and in conversation with the district superintendent, whose support and connectional oversight are essential to the process. This reflects the United Methodist conviction that an individual\u2019s call is not private but discerned, recognized, and nurtured within the community of faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During training, CLM candidates are not working in isolation. They form a mutual ministry team that includes their clergy mentor and a small group of laity from their congregation. Together, they discern how the CLM\u2019s gifts can extend ministry within the church and community, strengthening the church\u2019s capacity for discipleship, care, outreach, and leadership. In this process, they also develop a ministry covenant that guides and shapes the work of ministry following certification. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After certification, the ministry team remains engaged through continued reflection, discernment, and regular review of the ministry, helping ensure that the CLM’s ministry remains grounded, effective, and life-giving for the congregation. The continuation of ministry is sustained through this shared commitment between the CLM and the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this way, certified lay ministry is not only the development of a leader, but an investment in the shared ministry of the congregation. CLMs serve in long-term ministry roles that expand the church\u2019s ability to live out its mission in concrete and faithful ways. Because certified lay ministry is a shared ministry, congregational leaders, clergy mentors, and ministry team members also have important roles to play. Learn more about the church team’s role<\/a> in supporting certified lay ministry.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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“I have learned so much about my calling. It helped me focus and listen to God and how I can serve God, my church, and my community.”<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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What Does a Certified Lay Minister Do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Certified lay ministers are equipped to serve in a wide range of ministries across the local church and community. Their work is shaped by their gifts, their context, and the needs of the congregation or ministry setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CLMs may conduct public worship, preach the Word, lead small groups, provide care for individuals and congregations, assist in program leadership, develop new ministries, or help establish outreach and faith formation in the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CLM ministry is always contextual and shaped through shared discernment with a mutual ministry team. The mutual ministry team helps clarify direction and support the CLM\u2019s work, and a written covenant provides ongoing focus and accountability for faithful ministry over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explore examples of CLM ministries<\/a> across the conference to see how this call is lived out in practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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History and Purpose<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The certified lay minister role was created by the 2004 General Conference of The United Methodist Church to strengthen ministry in local churches and communities through trained and accountable lay leadership. Rooted in the Methodist tradition of lay ministry, certified lay ministry reflects the long-standing belief that God calls and equips laity for meaningful leadership in the life of the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Certified lay ministers serve in partnership with clergy and congregations to help meet the spiritual and practical needs of their ministry context. Some serve as lay pastors in local churches, while others develop ministries shaped by the needs of their congregation or community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout the life of the church, laity have played essential roles in ministry and mission. The certified lay minister role provides a structured way for the church to continue that pattern through training, support, and accountability.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Considering Certified Lay Ministry?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As Methodists, we believe that all Christians are called to ministry. Laity who feel called to a specific ministry role within the local church may choose to become a certified lay minister. Becoming a CLM means joining a community of laity who are living out their call in a concrete and long-term way through assignment by the district superintendent. It also means committing to a process that includes training, support, supervision, and accountability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Certified lay ministry begins with discernment in conversation with your pastor and continues through a process of formation within the life of the congregation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All certified lay ministers begin as certified lay servants<\/a>. Those exploring certified lay ministry are encouraged to first complete the Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries and begin serving actively within the life of their congregation. The North Carolina Conference offers a Candidate Training Program each year that combines online learning, cohort gatherings, ministry development, mentoring, and practical ministry experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Learn How to Become a CLM<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Explore the Candidate Training Program<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These are common questions about how certified lay ministry works in practice and how it relates to other forms of ministry in The United Methodist Church. Have additional questions? Reach out to us at lsm@nccumc.org. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will I be assigned a church if I become a certified lay minister? <\/summary>
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Most certified lay ministers in the North Carolina Conference serve within their home congregation through specialized ministry roles they have discerned alongside their ministry team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a need exists, a district superintendent may also invite a CLM to serve as a lay pastor for a congregation without an appointed clergyperson. All certified lay ministers serve under assignment and supervision within the connection of the church, whether their ministry takes place in their home congregation or another ministry setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those who feel called toward pastoral ministry are encouraged to speak with their district superintendent as part of the discernment process.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is the difference between a CLM and a Licensed Local Pastor? <\/summary>
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Certified lay ministers are trained laypersons who serve in long-term ministry roles under the supervision of a clergy mentor. Licensed local pastors are clergy who are licensed for pastoral ministry and sacramental leadership within a specific appointment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While both may serve important leadership roles in the church, certified lay ministers remain laity within The United Methodist Church. CLMs do not ordinarily preside over the sacraments or officiate weddings, though they may preach, lead worship, provide pastoral care, lead funerals, and serve in a wide variety of ministry settings as part of a ministry team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To learn more about licensed local pastors and other clergy pathways in the North Carolina Conference, visit the Office of Clergy Life<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Do certified lay ministers preach? <\/summary>
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Some CLMs do preach as part of their assigned ministry, especially those serving as lay pastor or those whose ministry role in their home church includes worship leadership. CLMs may also be invited by individual churches to preach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, CLMs are not included on the district list of certified lay speakers available for pulpit supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CLMs who wish to provide pulpit supply are encouraged to complete training as a certified lay speaker<\/a>. Many CLMs choose to hold both certifications in order to serve in a wider range of ministry contexts.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why do I need the support of my local church?<\/summary>
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In The United Methodist Church, we recognize that calling is not lived out alone but affirmed and supported by the church. People who sense a call to ordained ministry begin by sharing that call with their local church, where pastors and church leaders help discern gifts and encourage growth. Lay Servant Ministries follows this same pattern of communal discernment, recognizing the essential role of the local church in forming and affirming disciples in their calling.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n


If you have any questions, reach out to your district director<\/a> of Lay Servant Ministries or contact Josey Snyder, josey.snyder@nccumc.org<\/a>, Associate Director of Leadership Development and Christian Formation for the North Carolina Conference.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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