GSUMC – Role Description
We are called to love, worship, and serve as we seek to make disciples of Jesus Christ.
Ministry Area: Resource Ministries
Purpose
Term: Annual, may be renewed.
Role Summary:
The Lay Leader functions as the primary lay representative in the local church and has the following responsibilities:
1. To foster awareness of the role of laity, and how to carry out the laity’s ministry.
2. To meet regularly with the pastor to discuss the state of the church and the concerns of the church’s ministry.
3. To conduct worship services in the pastor’s absence or make arrangements to have a supply pastor or another church member available to do so.
4. To serve on a number of local church committees, (including Staff-Parish, Lay Leadership, Finance and Administrative Council) serving as the interpreter of the actions and programs of the Annual Conference and the General Church.
5. To continue in study and training to develop a growing understanding of the church’s reason for existence and its ministry.
6. To advise the Administrative Council of opportunities to be more effective in its ministry in the community.
7. To present a “state of the church” address at Annual Charge Conference.
8. To take a active role in the church’s Christian Education programs, (i.e. Sunday School, Bible Study, etc.
9. Organizes (though he/she does not have to be the one to preach) the worship service for Laity Sunday: a celebration of the lay ministry of our church. (Also see ¶ 252 of The Discipline). The Discipline recommends that the Lay Leader also serve as the Lay Member of Annual Conference.
Responsibilities:
1. Member of the Staff Parish Committee.
2. Member of the Administrative Council.
3. Member of the Committee on Lay Leadership.
4. Member of the Finance Committee.
Skills:
1. Good listening skills.
2. Organizational skills.
3. Good interpersonal skills.
4. Multi-media communications skills.
RM_Council_Lay_Leader.wpd 2 January 29, 2010