Lay Leadership at Puyallup UMC
Gloria Fletcher, Co-Lay Leader
Leona Weltzer, Co-Lay Leader & Certified Lay Speaker
Roger Tanquist, Lay Speaker
Clay Bowman, Certified Lay Minister
In the United Methodist Church, the Ministry of the Laity is a vital part of the church’s mission and structure. It refers to the work and leadership of laypeople—that is, church members who are not ordained clergy—who serve as spiritual leaders, representatives, and partners in ministry with pastors and other church leaders. These roles and trained leadership positions are just some of the many ways that lay people serve in and through our congregation. Like so many other denominations, United Methodists believe that ALL Christians are called to serve in ministries of love and care.
The Role of the Lay Leader
The Lay Leader is the primary representative and role model of Christian discipleship for the congregation’s lay members. This person works closely with the pastor to foster spiritual growth, mission engagement, and lay participation in the church’s ministries.
Key responsibilities include:
Interpreting the mission of the church and helping others understand their role in living it out.
Supporting the pastor and serving as a communication link between the congregation and church leadership.
Encouraging lay participation in worship, discipleship, and service.
Representing the laity at Church Council and other leadership meetings.
Assisting with spiritual leadership, prayer, teaching, and sometimes leading worship or devotionals.
Their focus is on spiritual leadership, connection, and coordination of all lay ministries.
The Role of the Lay Servant
A Lay Servant is a member of the laity who has been trained and certified to provide leadership, care, and witness in their local congregation and community.
Their focus is on living out the UMC’s mission: “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
Lay Servants are called to serve in these ways:
Leading through service such as helping with worship, teaching small groups or Bible Studies, or church committees.
Providing care and encouragement such as visiting the sick, homebound, or grieving.
Communicating by sharing their faith story, giving testimony, or occasionally preaching (if trained and approved).
Their focus is the foundational ministry of service, leadership, and care.
The Role of the Lay Speaker
Lay Speakers are not clergy, but they are authorized to preach, lead worship, and conduct ministry in a variety of settings when invited by a pastor or district superintendent. They can become Certified Lay Speakers upon completing a certain number of training seminars and courses.
A Certified Lay Speaker may:
Preach at worship services when the pastor is away or requests assistance.
Lead worship and offer prayer or devotional leadership.
Teach classes, Bible studies, or small groups.
Provide leadership in mission and service projects.
Support congregational vitality through speaking, teaching, and spiritual encouragement.
Their focus is on proclamation and preaching.
The Role of the Certified Lay Minister (CLM)
A Certified Lay Minister (CLM) is a layperson called to provide pastoral and leadership support in a ministry setting—often assisting or even leading a congregation under the supervision of the district superintendent. While they are not clergy and cannot perform sacraments (baptism, communion, marriage), they can preach, lead worship, offer care, and provide administrative leadership. They must complete a training program, often over 12–18 months, undergo assessments and interviews with the District Committee on Ordained Ministry before becoming Certified.
They can then serve as:
Leaders or pastors of small congregations (without a full-time clergy appointment), or in team ministry at larger churches.
Offer pastoral care and visitation.
Lead Bible studies and discipleship programs.
Manage day-to-day ministry operations (sometimes as the main pastoral presence in a small church).
Work in specialized ministries (e.g., chaplaincy, outreach, new church development) in mission or outreach ministries within or beyond the local church.
Their focus is on leadership in congregational life, preaching, pastoral care, and mission.