{"id":4848,"date":"2022-02-17T14:37:33","date_gmt":"2022-02-17T19:37:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/?page_id=4848"},"modified":"2026-05-29T11:06:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T15:06:39","slug":"certified-lay-servant","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/certified-lay-servant\/","title":{"rendered":"Certified Lay Servant"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"background-color:#f5f5f5;padding-left:5%;padding-right:5%;padding-bottom:4%;padding-top:4%\" class=\"wp-block-genesis-blocks-gb-container alignfull gb-section-header-image-column gb-block-container alignfull\"><div class=\"gb-container-inside\"><div class=\"gb-container-content\" style=\"max-width:1200px\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-theme-secondary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b4a13ce1628e3b26ea40410bc4d58457\"><strong>Certified Lay Servant<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-theme-secondary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-13606b620b4ec53ecd17fbb0a9e299fe\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80)\"><em>Called and Equipped for Leadership Roles in the Local Church<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-genesis-blocks-gb-columns gb-layout-columns-2 gb-2-col-wideright has-theme-light-gray-background-color gb-has-custom-text-color gb-columns-center\" style=\"padding-top:2em;padding-right:2em;padding-bottom:2em;padding-left:2em;color:#ffffff\"><div class=\"gb-layout-column-wrap gb-block-layout-column-gap-2 gb-is-responsive-column\" style=\"max-width:1200px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-genesis-blocks-gb-column gb-block-layout-column gb-is-vertically-aligned-center\"><div class=\"gb-block-layout-column-inner\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/05\/Mission.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10791\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:20px;border-top-right-radius:20px;border-bottom-left-radius:20px;border-bottom-right-radius:20px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/05\/Mission.png 940w, https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/05\/Mission-720x604.png 720w, https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/05\/Mission-768x644.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-genesis-blocks-gb-column gb-block-layout-column gb-is-vertically-aligned-top\"><div class=\"gb-block-layout-column-inner\">\n<p class=\"has-main-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3f9de4f59328e395bc8a7075eabeb561\">Certified Lay Servants are lay leaders formed in the life of the church, recognized and supported by their local congregation, and trained to serve through teaching, care, worship, and leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-main-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9e44abba86f038c54b22418079cb17f7\">They serve in many ways, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-main-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f03f7b41cbd951cd3e60e7055d3779ab\">Leading Bible studies and Sunday school classes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-main-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-89b5d21109848d17f038ba9550073ffe\">Serving on administrative committees and shaping the life of the church<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-main-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2fd0977d0b2357292310daf09757ec7f\">Engaging in caring and outreach ministries that extend the church\u2019s witness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-main-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0c1a2825e527c3707b39467468eef953\">Assisting in worship as liturgists or communion servers and, when requested, preaching or leading worship in their local congregation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"#become\">How to Become a Certified Lay Servant<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"#renew\">How to Renew<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"#faq\">FAQ<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-74684a36 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--xx-large);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--xx-large);padding-left:0\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"become\">How to Become a Certified Lay Servant<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Any active member of a United Methodist Church is eligible to become a certified lay servant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Talk to Your Pastor<\/strong><br>Begin by sharing your sense of call with your pastor and church leadership (church council or charge conference). You will need their recommendation as part of the process.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Take the Basic Course for Lay Servant Ministries<\/strong><br>You can take this course through your local church via our <a href=\"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/um-101\/\">UM101 initiative<\/a> or through any district. <a href=\"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/upcoming-courses\/\">View upcoming courses<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Take One Advanced Course<\/strong><br>Any course offered through Lay Servant Ministries that is not the basic course will suffice to meet this requirement. <a href=\"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/upcoming-courses\/\">View upcoming courses<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Complete the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/certified-lay-servant\/apply\/\">Certified Lay Servant Application<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Signatures<\/strong><br>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 servant. Be sure you are in conversation with both so they will anticipate this email.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Final Approval<\/strong><br>Once all materials are received, the district committee on Lay Servant Ministries will review your application and can affirm your certification. Reach out to your <a href=\"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/lay-servant-ministries\/#district-directors\">district director<\/a> if you have any questions.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-genesis-blocks-gb-columns gb-slate-section-testimonial-image gb-layout-columns-2 gb-2-col-equal gb-has-background-dim gb-has-background-dim-20 has-ncc-red-background-color gb-columns-center alignfull\" style=\"padding-top:60px;padding-right:40px;padding-bottom:60px;padding-left:40px\"><div class=\"gb-layout-column-wrap gb-block-layout-column-gap-5 gb-is-responsive-column\" style=\"max-width:1140px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-genesis-blocks-gb-column gb-block-layout-column gb-is-vertically-aligned-center\"><div class=\"gb-block-layout-column-inner\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color\"><em>\u201cI have met a lot of wonderful people through this program. You don\u2019t have to be afraid to step beyond your own church. God will help you do what God calls you to do, and God will give you people to walk alongside you.\u201d<\/em><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-genesis-blocks-gb-column gb-block-layout-column gb-is-vertically-aligned-center\"><div class=\"gb-block-layout-column-inner\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2025\/02\/Corridor-In-Person-Class.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1528\" height=\"956\" src=\"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2025\/02\/Corridor-In-Person-Class.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9119\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2025\/02\/Corridor-In-Person-Class.jpg 1528w, https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2025\/02\/Corridor-In-Person-Class-720x450.jpg 720w, https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2025\/02\/Corridor-In-Person-Class-1440x901.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2025\/02\/Corridor-In-Person-Class-768x481.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1528px) 100vw, 1528px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-67d13cd8 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--large);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--large);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);padding-left:0\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"renew\">How to Renew<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The district committee on Lay Servant Ministries reviews and renews certified lay servants each year. In order to maintain active status, the following steps are expected:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Annual Report<\/strong><br>Submit an&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/certified-lay-servant-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">annual report<\/a>&nbsp;after July 1 and before your church&#8217;s charge conference each year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Advanced Course<\/strong><br>Be sure you have completed at least one advanced Lay Servant Ministries course within the past&nbsp;<strong>three years<\/strong>. Any Lay Servant Ministries course other than the Basic Course meets this requirement. <a href=\"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/upcoming-courses\/\">View upcoming courses<\/a>. <br><br><em>Some conference learning opportunities are also <a href=\"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/alternative-course\/\">pre-approved<\/a> to meet this requirement. <\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Signatures<\/strong><br>When you submit your annual report, your pastor and church council chair will receive an email inviting them to fill out a simple form as their electronic signature to affirm your continued recognition as a certified lay servant. Be sure you are in communication with both so they anticipate this email.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Final Approval<\/strong><br>The district committee on Lay Servant Ministries will review your materials and confirm your renewal.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery alignfull has-nested-images columns-4 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"822\" height=\"675\" data-id=\"10858\" src=\"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/05\/Jo-Drago4-1200x675-1-e1779907624994.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10858\" style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/05\/Jo-Drago4-1200x675-1-e1779907624994.jpg 822w, https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/05\/Jo-Drago4-1200x675-1-e1779907624994-720x591.jpg 720w, https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/05\/Jo-Drago4-1200x675-1-e1779907624994-768x631.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 822px) 100vw, 822px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"813\" height=\"1440\" data-id=\"10860\" src=\"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/05\/Jennifer-Burns1-813x1440-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10860\" style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/05\/Jennifer-Burns1-813x1440-1.jpg 813w, https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/05\/Jennifer-Burns1-813x1440-1-407x720.jpg 407w, https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/05\/Jennifer-Burns1-813x1440-1-768x1360.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 813px) 100vw, 813px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1080\" data-id=\"10947\" src=\"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/05\/IMG_0649-1440x1080.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10947\" style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/05\/IMG_0649-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/05\/IMG_0649-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/05\/IMG_0649-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/05\/IMG_0649-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/05\/IMG_0649-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" data-id=\"8273\" src=\"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2024\/06\/ncc-uwf-moves4mission-rocking-chairs.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8273\" style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2024\/06\/ncc-uwf-moves4mission-rocking-chairs.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2024\/06\/ncc-uwf-moves4mission-rocking-chairs-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2024\/06\/ncc-uwf-moves4mission-rocking-chairs-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--large);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--large)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"faq\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-genesis-blocks-gb-accordion gb-block-accordion\"><details><summary class=\"gb-accordion-title\">Do all certified lay servants preach?<\/summary><div class=\"gb-accordion-text\">\n<p>No. Some certified lay servants are invited to assist in worship or share messages in their local congregation, but many focus on teaching, caring ministries, outreach, or other forms of leadership in the church.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-genesis-blocks-gb-accordion gb-block-accordion\"><details><summary class=\"gb-accordion-title\">Is this the same as a certified lay speaker?<\/summary><div class=\"gb-accordion-text\">\n<p>No. Certified lay speakers are specifically trained and approved to provide pulpit supply in other congregations. Certified lay servants primarily serve in their local church in a wider variety of ministries.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-genesis-blocks-gb-accordion gb-block-accordion\"><details><summary class=\"gb-accordion-title\">Can I serve in more than one area of ministry?<\/summary><div class=\"gb-accordion-text\">\n<p>Yes. Certified lay servants often serve in multiple areas such as teaching, care ministries, outreach, and worship support, depending on gifts and church needs.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-genesis-blocks-gb-accordion gb-block-accordion\"><details><summary class=\"gb-accordion-title\">Do I have to be &#8220;qualified&#8221; before I start?<\/summary><div class=\"gb-accordion-text\">\n<p>No. This pathway is designed for people who sense a call to grow. Training and experience are part of the process.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-genesis-blocks-gb-accordion gb-block-accordion\"><details><summary class=\"gb-accordion-title\">Why do I need the support of my local church?<\/summary><div class=\"gb-accordion-text\">\n<p>In The United Methodist Church, we recognize that calling is not lived out alone but affirmed and supported by the church. A person who senses a call to ordained ministry begins by sharing that call with their local church, where pastors and individuals within the congregation recognize and affirm gifts for leadership and service. 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<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><br><em>If you have any questions, reach out to your&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/lay-servant-ministries\/district-directors-of-lay-servant-ministry\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">district director<\/a>&nbsp;of Lay Servant Ministries or contact Josey Snyder, <a href=\"mailto:josey.snyder@nccumc.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">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":"<p>How to Become a Certified Lay Servant Any active member of a United Methodist Church is eligible to become a certified lay servant. How to Renew The district committee on [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-no-title","meta":{"_tec_requires_first_save":true,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_tribe_blocks_recurrence_rules":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_description":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_exclusions":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4848","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Certified Lay Servant | Laity Ministries | North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/laity\/certified-lay-servant\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Certified Lay Servant | Laity Ministries | North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"How to Become a Certified Lay Servant Any active member of a United Methodist Church is eligible to become a certified lay servant. 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