Center for Lay Leadership Excellence

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 February 2012 10:24

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Center for Lay Leadership Excellence

What is the Center for Lay Leadership Excellence?

In Paragraph 133 of The UMC Book of Discipline (Part III of The Constitution, Section III – Servant Ministry and Servant Leadership, ¶134: Calling and Gifts of Leadership), we read:

“The United Methodist tradition has recognized that laypersons as well as ordained persons are gifted and called by God to lead the Church.  The servant leadership of these persons is essential to the mission and ministry of congregations.”

“Ministry” is not just a reference to clergy or other professionals who have specific training or education. The Bible, in discussing the role of believers does not specify clergy or laity. It refers to the “laos”: the whole people of God. The ministry of the laity certainly includes the work we do in church – serving on committees, mission teams, choir, and more. All these are important but not all there is to being in ministry. Our ministry is what we do every day - our daily lives outside the church doors. It’s our 24/7 commitment to respond to God’s call to holy living in the world.

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