1217. Leadership and Ministry Development Responsibilities.--1. To help develop an adequate understanding of the theological and biblical basis for ministry of the laity.
2. To develop and interpret ministry of the laity both within and without the institutional Church.
3. To provide resources, support services, and designs for the development and improvement of leadership in the local Church, except as specifically delegated to other agencies, and especially for those persons who serve as members of charge conferences, administrative councils, administrative boards, councils on ministries, committees on pastor-parish relations, personnel committees, committees on nominations and personnel, and those who serve as lay leaders and lay members of annual conferences.
4. To provide consultative services in organizational development and management skills for leadership development committees and other organizations in jurisdictions, conferences, and districts.
5. To provide resources and suggested plans for the observance of Laity Day in the local Church.
6. To provide resources and support services for the lay speaking ministry, including standards for the local Church lay speaker and certified lay speaker and designs and resources for use by annual conferences and districts in the training of local Church lay speakers and certified lay speakers.
7. To provide support services to conference and district lay leaders and conference and district boards of laity, the National Association of Annual Conference Lay Leaders, and to other appropriate conference and district officers and agencies.
8. To initiate a process of coordination and collaboration in developing a comprehensive approach to leadership development and training within all program areas for which the General Board of Discipleship has responsibility.
9. Ordained elders may select and train lay members with appropriate words and actions to immediately deliver the consecrated communion elements to members confined at home, in a nursing home, or in a hospital.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
1992 Book of Discipline: ¶ 1217
1996 United Methodist General Conference