I was reminded recently about the value of lay leadership in the United Methodist Church by an article that Anne Soles wrote for the Pentwater Centenary United Methodist Church Circuit Rider. And for many years, Anne had been not only representing the Pentwater United Methodist Church but also our full conference in the state of Michigan as the Conference Lay Leader. In her leadership role, I got to know Anne prior to moving to Pentwater and appreciated so much of what she did for the Michigan Conference members as their Lay Leader.
An effective Lay Leader functions as the primary representative and role model of Christian discipleship and faith lived out in the church and in daily life. The Lay Leader collaborates with the pastor to fulfill the mission and vision of the church congregation.
Spiritual gifts and qualifications are helpful for this job. The Lay Leader should be a growing Christian Disciple who understands that everyone has spiritual gifts and experiences that are vital to the body of Christ. The Lay Leader benefits from having one or more of these spiritual gifts: compassion, discernment, faith, helping, leadership, and servanthood. The Lay Leader should be a living example of one who “Loves God and loves their neighbor.” It is important for a Lay Leader to listen well and communicate with people of all ages. The Lay Leader should show evidence of collaborating well with clergy, laity and with various teams and task groups of the church. The Lay Leader must have the ability to keep a broad view of the separate parts of the congregation and work with the pastor to help align their entire ministry towards the mission of the church.
The Lay Leaders should show interest in connecting the congregation with the community and the world as they participate in the mission of the United Methodist Church in reaching the Great Commission that was given to us in Matthew 22. The Lay Leader should embody God’s love for all. The Lay Leader should be not just an example but a leader in bringing the world together for the transformation of disciples in the name of Jesus Christ.
The Lay leader represents the lay people in the congregation and working with the pastor to achieve the mission and vision of the congregation. The Lay Leader engages in spiritual practices that build relationships of attentiveness to God’s will and direction. The Lay Leader is a force within the congregation that works to build up and strengthen ministries of the church. The Lay Leader is part of the Administrative Council and advises the Council of the experiences and the mission of laity within that church and in the community. The Lay Leader is part of the celebration of the ministry in the laity throughout the year and especially on Laity Sunday. The Lay Leader is part of the continuing growth, study, and development of the church. The Lay Leader keeps the laity of the church engaged in growth and may also at times be a Certified Lay Servant or Speaker.
The Lay Leader is part of the Church Charge Conference as a representative to the Church Administrative Council, the Pastor Parish Staff Relations Committee, the Finance Committee, the Nominations, and other committees of the church when and where the need exists. The Lay Leader serves as a representative of the laity in the operations of the church and is a voting member of the Administrative Council and each of the church committees. The Lay Leader may also be the Lay Member at the Annual Conference.
The pastor’s dependence on the Lay Leader is of utmost significance. The Lay Leader is to be the voice of the laity of the church and represent the church to the pastor in many different and valuable ways. The Lay Leader can be the sounding block for the pastor as they relate to the congregation.
Now that I have described the significance of a Lay Leader in the local church, if you reflect upon who this person should be, we are blessed at Claybanks United Methodist Church with a Lay Leader who has served as a humble servant for many years and has at times also served as Lay Representative to Annual Conference. I know as you read this, we acknowledge with humble thanks to the role that Edie Bogart has played for so many years as our Lay Leader. I as your pastor, the Administrative Council, and the laity of the Claybanks United Methodist Church, give thanks to our Lord for the blessings that Edie has shared with our church over the years. Thank you, Edie, for loving and caring for the Claybanks United Methodist Church and all its family over the years. You have served Jesus Christ with your many gifts and talents so graciously.
Having highlighted the Lay Leader and Edie, I am deeply thankful to many other leaders of the Claybanks United Methodist Church, and I will be sharing those roles in future Pastors Ponderings. I, as your pastor, am so appreciative of those who have stepped forward and answered the call “Yes, Lord send me.” As your pastor of the Claybanks United Methodist Church, I have been so blessed by the strong leadership of the church which has been one of many beautiful aspects of this church that has kept me as your pastor for many years beyond what I had expected when I accepted the appointment of being your pastor over eight years ago serving in retirement.
Thank you, Edith Bogart, and all who serve in leadership that responded with “Yes” when asked by the Nominations Committee and your pastor to make disciples for Jesus Christ as we work together with the power of the Holy Spirit to serve our Lord.
Pastor Gary
Claybanks United Methodist Church 