Certified Lay Ministry

What is a Certified Lay Minister?

The 2016 Book of Discipline, ¶268

“A certified lay minister is a certified lay servant, certified lay missioner, (or equivalent as defined by his or her central conference) who is called and equipped to conduct public worship, care for the congregation, assist in program leadership, develop new and existing faith communities, preach the Word, lead small groups, or establish community outreach ministries as part of a ministry team with the supervision and support of a clergy person.” (¶268)).

Certified lay ministers are laypersons, and as such may not consecrate the elements at communion, perform weddings, receive new members, or perform baptisms. The CLM, however, may perform all of the other duties of a pastoral leader within the ministry setting he or she is assigned. It is important that as a CLM, you consult with your CLM mentor or district superintendent to ensure that there are no state laws that would prohibit you from performing any civil ceremonies such as funerals.

The East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church offers four CLM modules for those wishing to become Certified Lay Ministers. While originally intended for members of the East Ohio Conference, several other United Methodist conferences accept these modules as CLM credit as well. We recommend you check with your pastor, district superintendent, or conference office to make sure these courses are approved for certification as a lay minister in your conference. Each conference is different, and some do not accept these courses for CLM certification.

Learn more about the Certified Lay Minister program or view the CLM Brochure from the General Board of Discipleship.

2018 CLM TRAINING PROGRAM DATES

Click the links for more information about each training, and scroll down to see all scheduled 2018 dates. Each of these courses requires access to a copy of the United Methodist Book of Discipline. Students in CLM Module 1 must have completed the Basic Lay Servant Ministries course plus a Spiritual Gifts advanced LSM course.

“I believe I was called by God to become a CLM in my district in North Carolina. I completed all four modules under the teaching of Dr. Joshua Reichard; all of these modules were very informative and I learned a great deal from them. When I went before the DCOM this summer I was approved!” – Pat Merrit, NC

CLM Module 1: Call and Covenant for Ministry

August 6-19, 2018
September 10-23, 2018
October 15-28, 2018

CLM Module 2: The Practice of Ministry

July 23 – August 12, 2018
August 20 – September 9, 2018
September 24 – October 14, 2018
October 29 – November 18, 2018

CLM Module 3: Organization for Ministry

August 6-19, 2018
September 10-23, 2018
October 15-28, 2018
November 19 – December 2, 2018

CLM Module 4: Connection for Ministry

July 23 – August 5, 2018
August 20 – September 2, 2018
September 24 – October 7, 2018
October 29 – November 11, 2018
December 3-16, 2018

Continuing Education for Current CLMs

BeADisciple offers courses that meet continuing education requirements for those who have already been certified as Certified Lay Ministers. These courses are taught by Dr. Joshua Reichard, who teaches our CLM modules. These courses are approved in the East Ohio conference; if you are not in the East Ohio conference please check with your conference leadership before enrolling to ensure that they will approve these courses for continuing education credit.

IFD300 – Using the Common English Bible: A Primer

September 10-16, 2018
October 15-21, 2018
November 19-25, 2018

IFD301 – Jesus’ Abba: An Introduction to the Process-Relational Perspective on God

August 13-26, 2018
September 17-30, 2018
October 22 – November 4, 2018
November 26 – December 9, 2018