You cannot tell the story of Methodism without emphasizing the importance of laity to the movement. We want to continue to build upon our historic roots by raising up new leaders to serve our congregations and be a part of carrying forth the mission “to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe. For this reason, all Certified Lay Ministers are expected to start or be involved with a new faith community.
WHAT is a Certified Lay Minister (CLM)?
On the most basic level a Certified Lay Minister is exactly what it sounds like – a lay person that is certified to minister and build up the body of Christ. It is NOT just preaching. CLMs serve in a variety of volunteer roles including discipleship, age-level ministry, congregational care, pulpit supply, etc. The Book of Doctrines and Discipline, ¶ 502, defines a CLM as, “A certified lay minister is a professing member of a local congregation who has received special training in Wesleyan doctrine and our denominational polity, and endorsement by the church in order to serve the church as laity. This category encompasses all those who were previously named certified lay servants, certified lay speakers, certified lay ministers, deaconesses, home missioners, and lay missioners. Certified lay ministers may work in any area of the church’s ministry, including leading, teaching, proclaiming/preaching, evangelizing, worship, and caring ministry. As laity, a certified lay minister is not subject to the approval or appointment of the bishop or presiding elder, although they may request the lay minister to serve in a ministry capacity outside his or her own local church. However, every Certified Lay Minister is expected to be part of a new faith community.
WHO is CLM training for?
Anyone that is serving in a church volunteer of staff position that wishes to become more equipped as a lay minister! It is open to any professing member of a local Global Methodist congregation that has been a part of that congregation for at least two years and receives a written recommendation by the pastor and endorsement by a majority vote of the pastor-parish relations committee and the charge conference. Candidates for CLM will also need to complete the required training, pass a national background check, and be approved by the conference Board of Ministry. Other than the final step of BOM approval, the other steps do not have to be sequential.
Qualifications to become a CLM in the Western Pacific Conference
- Professing member of a GMC church for at least two years
- Must complete FIVE foundational classes including:
- Global Methodist History, Polity, Doctrine
- Congregational Care and Ethics
- Mission and Evangelism
- Understanding the Call, Spiritual Gifts
- Basic Bible
- At least one Advanced Class approved by the WPC Board of Ministry offered from our Conference. Classes from other Conferences, and certain Course of Study classes from approved seminaries may fulfill this requirement (with Board approval). An advanced class may include, but not limited to:
- Preaching
- Teaching
- Worship Leadership
- Christian Leadership & Administration
- Youth and Children’s Ministry
- National background check
- Recommendation from appointed pastor (if there is no pastor, then recommendation from assigned CLM)
- Recommendation from SPRC or equivalent
- Recommendation from Charge Conference
- Approval by the WPC Board of Ministry or their designee
Recertification
- An annual report to the Charge Conference and the Board of Ministry.
- A majority vote (annually) for continuation by the Charge Conference.
- Successfully passing a national background check (every three years).
- Completion of at least one approved Advanced Course.
More Information
We are in the process of training our trainers for this great program. We are preparing classes in Fijian, Tongan, and English. Classes will be offered in early 2027.