wfn.org | Lay speaking ministry observes 50th anniversary

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

July 27, 1998	Contact: Linda Green*(615)742-5470*Nashville, Tenn.
{442)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) -- The pastor has been called away from the
pulpit and someone is needed to lead the worship service or to preach.

Who do you call? The lay speaker.

A lay speaker is a member of the congregation who has completed required
courses and has been approved by a district or annual conference
committee to conduct worship services, preach and lead study sessions as
requested by the pastor or district superintendent.

Lay speaking ministry has existed in the United Methodist Church for 50
years, but its origins date back to the very beginnings of the church.
The office of  exhorter, a predecessor term for  lay speaker, was
recognized in the 1784 Book of Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. The office known as lay speaker was first recognized in the 1948
Book of Discipline.

The 50th anniversary of that ministry will be celebrated by lay speaking
groups Aug. 21-23 in an event called  "Celebration of Laity in the
Wesleyan Tradition" at St. Simons Island, Ga. The celebration is open to
lay speakers from all over the United States.

Lay speaking is a comprehensive developmental program for laity that
helps people identify their calls to ministry and develop skills in
caring, leading and communicating ministries, according to Tim Moss, the
director of laity leadership for the United Methodist Board of
Discipleship in Nashville, Tenn. "The lay speaking ministry is often the
turning point for lay people who are seeking to offer significant
service to both church and community." 
     
Leaders for the celebration event include Moss; Dick Strachan, director
of lay speaking for the Western North Carolina Conference; Charles
Killian, professor of preaching and dramatic ministry, Asbury Seminary,
Wilmore, Ky.; S.T. Kimbrough, associate general secretary for mission
evangelism, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, New York;
Marion Conner Price, laywoman from Jacksonville, Fla.; and Danny Morris,
Upper Room staff member.

For information about the event, contact Moss by e-mail, at
tmoss@gbod.org, or by phone, (615) 340-7179; or contact Judy Segars by
e-mail, at captain DJS@msn.com., or at 3539 Edgewood Circle,
Gainesville, Ga. 30506.

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United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
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