Lay Speaking

The LaGrange District has a very active Lay Speaking program, led by Mrs. Sybrenna Thornton, District Director of Lay Speaking and Mr. Harold Tarpley, Assistant Director of Lay Speaking.

Below are dates for upcoming Lay Speaking classes and events. Brochures and registration forms for classes will be mailed to all pastors and current lay speakers at least one month prior to the start of the class. Watch the website for more details.

August 17, 24, 31, September 7, 14, & 21 - Basic and Advanced Lay Speaking classes will be offered at the Pleasant Grove UMC in LaGrange. The advanced class will be "Lay Speakers Grow Spiritually Through Daily Discipline". Classes will meet 7-9pm. Cost is $40 and you must register through the District Office before August 6. Brochures with registration information are available from pastors or the District Office, or you may click here to download a copy.

Upcoming Lay Speaking Classes and Events:
November 28, 2010 - Lay Speakers Fellowship Gathering - 6:00 pm at Clark's Chapel in Luthersville; This will be a time of informal fellowship for lay speakers. Participants are asked to bring a covered dish and come join other lay speakers.

February 12 - Lay Speaker Instructor Training, 9-12, White Plains, UMC

March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, and April 13, 2011 - Lay Speaking Classes at Newnan Chapel, 7-9pm

March 4, 2011- Lay Speaker Recognition Banquet, 6:30pm St. Mary UMC in Hogansville

August 20, 27, September 10, 17 - Lay Speaking Classes at Mt. Olive UMC, Newnan, 9am-12pm

August 27 - Lay Speaking Refresher Course, time and location to be announced; This course is for Local Church Lay Speakers only. Certified Lay Speakers must take an advanced class in order to remain certified.

Annual Report Forms - All lay speakers must complete an Annual Report and turn in to their pastor prior to Charge Conference. You must be approved at Charge Conference in order to be considered by the District Board of Laity as a Lay Speaker.

What is a Lay Speaker?

According to paragraph 267 of the 2004 Book of Discipline, a lay speaker is a "professing member of a local church or charge who is ready and desirous to serve the Church and who is well informed on and committed to Scriptures and the doctrine, heritage, organization, and life of the United Methodist Church and who has received specific training to develop skills in witnessing to the Christian faith through spoken communication, church and community leadership, and care-giving ministries. An applicant must be active in the support of the local church or cahrge."

Type of Lay Speakers

The Local Church Lay Speaker shall work closely with the pastor to serve the local church in which membership is held by witness of the spoken word, vital leadership service, and care-giving ministry.

The Certified Lay Speaker shall continue to work closely with the pastor and serve the local church in the witness of the splekn workd, vital leadership service, and care-giving ministry. In addition, the Certified Lay Speaker may serve in the district and conference and in local churches other than the local church in which membership is held.

Steps to Becoming a Lay Speaker

Local Church Lay Speaker

1) Discuss with your pastor and get his/her approval

2) Complete the Basic Lay Speaking Course

3) Complete the Lay Speakers Annual Report form to be turned in to your pastor prior to Charge Conference. Your Charge Conference must approve your request to become a lay speaker.

4) The District Board of Laity will review all annual reports and approve those who have met all requirements.

Certified Lay Speaker

1) Meet all requirements listed above for Local Church Lay Speaker as well as complete an advanced lay speaking class.

In order to remain an active lay speaker, you must be renewed annually. A Local Lay Speaker must complete the Basic class, or a Refresher class, once every 3 years in addition to completing the Annual Report and being approved by their Charge Conference. A Certified Lay Speaker must complete an advanced class every 3 years in addition to the reporting requirements and the Charge Conference approval.

Lay Speaking Classes in the LaGrange District

The Board of Laity typcially offers both the Basic class and an advanced class twice a year. Classes are held at local churches throughout the District. Brochures are mailed to all pastors and current lay speakers about one month prior to the classes.

Lay Speakers Annual Report Form

Anyone wishing to be approved as a Lay Speaker must complete the Annual Report Form and turn in to their pastor prior to Charge Conference. Blank copies of the report can be accessed on the conference website, www.ngumc.org. Look under "Forms' and "Charge Conference". You may complete the form online through Data Services at http://ngumc.org. In order to access the report here, you must create a personal profile, if you have not already done so.

For more information about the Lay Speaking program, contact the District Office(lagrdo@bellsouth.net), Sybrenna Thornton (sybrennaandlonnie@yahoo.com or 706-882-5377) or Harold Tarpley (httarpley@bellsouth.net or 706-663-4404). For information about lay speaking curriculum, go to www.layspeakingministries.org/curriculumpage.html