August, 2009

The Lay Speaker Annual Report has two very specific uses:

  1. Any person seeking to become a lay speaker is required to submit this form to his or her pastor for approval

by the pastor and the church conference/council.

  1. Any lay speaker -- whether local church or certified -- to remain in good standing is required to fill in the form annually prior to the church conference and submit it to his or her pastor.

After approval by both the pastor and the church conference, a copy is to be sent to the District Office for the use of the District Committee on Lay Speaking Ministries.

Part 1. PERSONAL INFORMATION

 Mr.  Mrs.  Ms. Name______

e-mail address ______What name do you go by? (i.e. Sue, Bob, Jim) ______

Address______Phone (H) ______

City/State/Zip ______Phone (C)/(W)______

Name of Church ______Name of Pastor ______

Part 2. STATUS OF THE LAY SPEAKER (Please check only one box)

I am applying to BECOME a local church lay speaker.

I am applying for RENEWAL as a local church lay speaker.

 I am applying to BECOME a certified lay speaker.

 I am applying for RENEWAL as a certified lay speaker.

What was the TITLE of the LAST lay speaking course you took? ______

What year did you complete the course? ______Where? ______

Part 3. REQUEST OF THE LAY SPEAKER

I hereby request recommendation of my pastor and my church conference to become or renew as a

 certified lay speaker  local church lay speaker for the ensuing year.

______

Date Signature of Lay Speaker

Part 4. RECOMMENDATION OF THE PASTOR

I recommend concurrence with the request of this lay speaker to become or renew as a

 certified lay speaker  local church lay speaker for the ensuing year.

______

Date Signature of the Pastor

Part 5. CHURCH CONFERENCE RECOMMENDATION

The church conference of ______recommends that the above lay speaker become or renew as a  certified lay speaker  local church lay speaker for the ensuing year.

______

Date Signature of the District Superintendent

Part 6. MINISTRIES

During the past year, I have participated in these ministry opportunities

 served as MEMBER of committee, board, council, task force, etc.

 at my local church (what) ______

 beyond my local church:

 in my district (what) ______

 in my conference (what) ______

 in my jurisdiction (what) ______

 at the general church level (what) ______

 served as Lay Leader or CHAIR of committee, board, task force (what)______

 served as a volunteer at a community agency (what) ______

 provided one-on-one caring:

 at a hospital, nursing home, or to a shut-in

 in membership/evangelism visitation

 other: ______

 provided leadership in caring/outreach projects (such as a food pantry, prison ministry, Stephen Ministry) (what) ______

 taught classes (what, how many) ______

 served as a worship leader in services (how many) ______

 delivered devotional messages (where, how many) ______

 preached in worship services (where, how many) ______

Additional opportunities for leading, caring, and communicating ministries participated in by the lay speaker (describe opportunity and your part in it):______

______

Part 7. PERSONAL AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH

In what activities have you engaged and/or what books have you read and used during the past year to help you develop your devotional life, improve your understanding of the Bible, improve your understanding of The United Methodist Church, and to improve your skills in leading, caring, and communicating?

______

______

Part 8. FEEDBACK

Do you believe that you have had adequate opportunity of service as a lay speaker this year?  Yes  No

(If no, please explain) ______

______

What additional training or support do you need?______

______

Give any recommendations you have for improving the lay speaking ministry in your district or annual conference: ______

______

Part 9. ACTION BY THE DISTRICT COMMITTEE ON LAY SPEAKING

This application to become or be renewed as a  certified lay speaker  local church lay speaker within the Marquette District of the Detroit Conference is  approved  disapproved for the ensuing year.

______

Date Signature of the Chair, District Committee on Lay Speaking Ministry

This form has been approved for use within the districts of the Detroit conference. After this form is completed and signed by the lay speaker, pastor, and district superintendent, it is filed in the office of the district superintendent.

August, 2009