ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2012
Presentation Seminar Submission Deadline
Available as PDFs
UPCOMING EVENTS
John Wesley Theological Institute
Adult Interfaith Bus Tour
HARVEST 2020 NEWS
Download June 2011 SowerCHARGE CONFERENCE FORMS
Forms available for downloadCLERGY CONSULTATION FORMS
Forms available for downloadeNEWS SUBSCRIPTION
Chicago Office
77 W. Washington St.
Suite 1820
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312.346.9766
Fax: 312.346.9730
Program Office
217 Division St.
Elgin, IL 60120
Phone: 847.931.0710
Fax: 847.931.0732
Lay Speaking Ministries
A lay speaker is a member of the congregation who has completedrequired 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 since 1959, but its origins date back to the very beginnings of the church.
The office of exhorter, was recognized in the 1784 Book of Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The office known as lay speaker was first recognized in the1948 Book of Discipline.The Lay Speaking Academy is a comprehensive developmental program for laity that helps people identify their calls to ministry and develop skills in caring, leading and communicating ministries. It is often the turning point for lay people who are seeking to offer significant service to both church and community.
Training sessions are held throughout the conference. If you feelcalled to serve your church in a more formal leadership position, wehope you'll join the 600+ Lay Speakers in our conference.
Click here to request a Lay Speaker to speak to your congregation.
NEWS
May 25, 2011
May 06, 2010
March 24, 2010
February 08, 2010
EVENTS
February 26, 2012
March 03, 2012
March 03, 2012
March 04, 2012
March 10, 2012
March 10, 2012
RESOURCES
CONTACTS
Roger L. Curless
Conference Director of Lay Speaking
rlcurless1@att.net
Rae Kipper
Aurora District Director
rmk2028@comcast.net
Vivian Matthews
Chicago Northwestern District Director
vmatt5400@aol.com
Irma Clark
Chicago Southern District Director
irmklarc@aol.com
Al Thorsen
DeKalb District Director
thorson@mchsi.com
Karen Sensen
Elgin District Director
karen@sersen.net
Gretchen Wallander
Rockford District Director
gretchenw@jcwifi.com

