If, then, three members of the leadership team are designated as trustees, that. The work of the committee on lay leadership is very important in the life of a local congregation. The book of discipline of the united methodist church is the product of over two hundred years of the general conferences of the denominations that now form the united methodist church. The book editor, the secretary of the general conference, the publisher of the united methodist church and the committee on correlation and editorial revision shall be charged with editing the. Lay members of the united methodist church are, by history and calling, active. The chair, recording secretary, lay leader and lay delegate would be appointed for a oneyear term and would be eligible for reappointment. The 2016 book of discipline of the united methodist church, and addendum and errata. The committee on lay leadership has the task of selecting and contacting members of the congregation to fill positions in our committees and elected positions of authority within the church.
What does the united methodist churchs book of discipline. The lay leader is a member of the charge conference, the church council, the pastorparish or staffparish relations committee, the finance committee, and the nominations and leadership development committee. Principal responsibilities include fostering an awareness of the role of the laity, meeting regularly with the pastor, assessing the opportunities for ministries within the church and serving on the church council and various. Every congregation must make provision for including these functions according to the book of discipline of the united methodist church, 244. The nominations committee, also sometimes referred to as the lay leadership committee elects members for all required committees. Lay leadership is in charge of recruiting lay people to be on the various committees of the church.
First united methodist church position responsibilities jobdescriptions. The book of discipline of the united methodist church 20. Ganado fumc lay leadership ganado first united methodist. Local church committee on nominations and leadership. The lay leader of the congregation is also a member of the committee. The book of discipline of the united methodist church. Spiritual gifts leadership, administration, servanthood, discernment, and teaching. Nominations committee first united methodist church. The book of discipline is our denominations book of law and is a product of over 200 years of general conferences that now form the united methodist church. The responsibility of the members of the committee of lay leadership is to get to know the members of the congregation and match up their. The united methodist book of discipline requires certain committees to exist, but it allows the leadership team to function as those committees if the membership of the required committees is satisfied within the leadership team.
Free online editions of both the book of discipline and the book of resolutions are available from cokesbury. Committee on lay leadership union united methodist. Ministry area or committee chair leading within the congregation as part of a ministry team, committee member or committee chair is another form of servant ministry or servant leadership for lay. This pamphlet gathers together the most frequently asked of these questions with related sections of the book of discipline of the united methodist church, 2012. Suamico united methodist church 3266 lakeview drive suamico, wi 54173 9204341168. The discipline as the instrument for setting forth the laws, plan, polity, and process by which united methodists govern themselves remains constant. United methodist local church committee and officer. Additionally, pastor is the chairperson of the lay leadership committee. Can be assigned by the bishop and cabinet as an appropriate leader in a smaller church or faith community. As a member of important church leadership teams, the lay leader represents the laity and provides crucial insight into the wider communitys needs. The united methodist church book of discipline outlines responsibilities for lay leaders, but that is the easy answer. The council chairperson is welcome to attend annual. Participate in leadership training programs as offered by the annual conference andor district. Leadership council fredericksburg united methodist church.
At no cost, you may view an online version of the 2016 book of discipline andor book of resolutions 2016. Adult fellowship united methodist women seasoned seniors youth group missions book club. Lay members of the united methodist church are, by history and calling, active advocates of the gospel of jesus christ. All members of this committee must be full members of union umc. The book of discipline 2016 free edition search form cokesbury has now made available a free online edition of the book of discipline, 2016 edition, limited to view and search capabilities. This committee or team serves throughout the year to guide the church lay leadership team on matters regarding the leadership of the. There shall be elected annually, by the charge conference in each local church, a committee on nominations and leadership development that is composed of professing members of the local church. Unfortunately, in our zeal to include as many people as possible in church leadership and decisionmaking, we often hold the church back. Perhaps the united methodist book of discipline should be added to that list. To answer candidly, we need to recognize the role of laity in the church. So at any one time, there are nine elected members on the lay leadership committee.
The book of discipline of the united methodist church leaves no doubt as to the priesthood of all believers. This group, chaired by the pastor, has as its responsibility, the identification, development, deployment, and support of the persons who will give leadership in the local church. Lay leadership mechanicsburg united methodist church. Lay member of annual conference the book of discipline of the united methodist church 2008, part v, chapter 1, section vi. The united methodist church is structured to be lay driven, and this is a very good thing. It takes almost six months and a process defined by the rules of the general conference before the denomination knows exactly what happened after its big legislative assembly. Karen bidinger, robin rodriguez, david lancaster 2020.
The charge of this committee is to identify, develop, deploy, evaluate, and monitor christian spiritual leadership for the local congregation. There shall be a committee on finance, elected annually by the charge conference upon recommendation by the committee on nominations and leadership development or from the floor, composed of the chairperson. James united methodist church is structured according to the united methodist book of discipline. One or more members elected by the charge conference may. Lay leadership the ministry of laity flows from a commitment to christs outreaching love. Study united methodist polity, tradition, and theology. It is the responsibility of the committee to communicate with the committee on nominations and leadership development andor the church council when there is a need for other leaders or for employed staff to perform in areas where utilization of the gifts of the pastors and. Local united kentucky annual conference theme methodist. Lay leadership first united methodist church of fort worth. Our committees are comprised of a wide diversity of christian leaders who provide wisdom, guidance and policy. Paragraph 4 in the book of discipline states, the united methodist tradition has recognized that laypersons as well as ordained persons are gifted and called by god to lead the church. The book of discipline of the united methodist church 2016.
The book of discipline of the united methodist church states that the pastor shall be the chair of the group and a layperson shall be vicechair who may represent the committee at meetings of the church leadership team. Foundational documents, including the doctrinal statements and the social principles, are found in the what we believe section cokesbury, the retail arm of the united methodist publishing house, sells several versions of the discipline. For instance, the book of discipline requires the trustees to have a minimum of three members. An online version of the book of discipline and the book of resolutions, 2016 are offered on the cokesbury web site for free. Lay leaders are encouraged to become certified lay servants. The council chairperson is entitled to attend meetings of all boards and committees of the church unless specifically limited by the book of discipline. At least one young adult elected by the charge conference shall serve as a member of the committee. The nominations committee identified nominees to serve on the leadership council and submitted their recommendations to the church conference for approval.
Not only this, but the system we use for ordering our churches has, at times, actually prevented the laity from participating in our mission to make disciples of jesus. While we nominate leaders as a congregation each year, some committee nominations are approved by the charge conference as required by the united methodist book of discipline. East ohio conference of the united methodist church. The book of discipline 2016 free edition the northwest. Certified lay ministers united methodist church of.
Positions may be combined except for the financial functions. Those efforts continue today with the lay leaders who serve our church community in so many ways. Associate lay leaders may be elected to work with the lay leader in any local church. The primary task of the lay leader in a local church is to connect the people of the church, the leadership of the church, and the local community. Is an extension of the historic role of laity in the methodist environment. Every layperson is called to carry out the great commission matthew 28.