AmbidextrousChurch.com

This resource for teaching Module 1 of the Certified Lay Minister program of the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference is developed by David Kueker and is based on Module I: Call and Covenant for Ministry, copyright 2016 by Discipleship Resources, Nashville, TN.
CLM 1.1, Reviewed: 2-19-22.

This resource for teaching Module 1 of the Certified Lay Minister program of the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference is developed by David Kueker and is based on Module I: Call and Covenant for Ministry, copyright 2016 by Discipleship Resources, Nashville, TN.
CLM 1.1, Reviewed: 2-19-22.

This resource for teaching Module 1 of the Certified Lay Minister program of the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference is developed by David Kueker and is based on Module I: Call and Covenant for Ministry, copyright 2016 by Discipleship Resources, Nashville, TN.
CLM 1.1, Reviewed: 2-19-22.

REVIEW

Reviewing the Sample Covenants:
I. Covenant Community Church, UMC and Dottie Lloyd, Certified Lay Minister. (41)
II. Quimbly United Methodist church of Port Only, PA. (42)
III. IGRC Pastoral Expectations Document

Brainstorming Covenants Exercise.

The covenant includes …

• a brief description of the ministry setting,
• the roles and responsibilities of each team member and
• 3-4 specific ministry goals (12). (Full Covenant contents list on p. 22-23 and 30-40.
  
  Remember – use the model IGRC covenant as you develop yours.
  
  The covenant intends to remove guesswork and prevents conflict (p. 19).

Practical Considerations: Developing a Covenant for Congregations with a Certified Lay Minister
Module 1, Page 20. Julia Kuhn Wallace

1. What is a ministry covenant?
2. Why is a covenant essential to the CLM process?
3. Who should be involved in developing the covenant?
4. How can people prepare for the covenant session?
5. What should be included in the covenant?
6. How should the covenant be presented for approvalby the congregation?
7. What are some ways to help us keep the covenant?
8. When should the covenant be reviewed or revised?
9. What happens if the covenant isn’t working?
10. What does a covenant-making session agenda looklike?
11. Is there a covenant worksheet to help us get started?
12. Should this document be signed and if so, by whom?
13. What is the role of the district superintendent?

CLOSING PRAYER: PRAYER OF ST FRANCIS
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much
seek to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.

This resource for teaching Module 1 of the Certified Lay Minister program of the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference is developed by David Kueker and is based on Module I: Call and Covenant for Ministry, copyright 2016 by Discipleship Resources, Nashville, TN.
CLM 1.6, Reviewed: 2-19-22.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

Module One: Call and Covenant for Ministry

Purpose: To provide a basic overview of the call to ministry, theology, and ordering of ministry in The United Methodist Church; to explain the role of Certified Lay Minister; to support the formation of a Mutual Ministry Team for learning and leading in the congregation; and to develop a ministry covenant to guide mission.

Learning Goals. At the end of this module, the participant will be able to:

• discuss ministry in The United Methodist tradition and its various expressions,
• demonstrate the diverse forms and distinctions of ministry and how they relate,
• describe and discuss spiritual gifts and their use in shared ministry with the church and community,
• write a mutual ministry covenant and
• present it to the congregation or ministry setting for acceptance.

MY JESUS CREED
I asked Jesus “What do you want from me?”
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. (Four fingers)
And you are to love your neighbor as yourself. (Spreading hands)
And you are to love one another as I have loved you; by this shall all people know that you are my disciples.” (Hugging hands)
By loving like Jesus we become disciples, become known as disciples, and become disciple makers that fulfill the Great Commission. (Hands extending)

Bible Study: 1 Corinthians 12 … Definition of Church: Body of Christ (Differentiation).

Discussion Questions

1. How many can be perfect? (v. 4-6: “Varieties” – the ideal vs. reality)
2. Who are spiritually gifted? Why? What form does the gift take? (v. 7)
3. Who decides how someone is gifted? (v. 12)
4. How do individuals become connected to the body? (v. 13)
5. Who feels unimportant? What does Paul say to them? (v. 14-19)
6. Who feels important? What does Paul say to them? (v. 20-26)
7. What should we do with this list of gifts in v. 8-10?
8. What gifts are undiscovered and unutilized in the typical church? Why? Why is this important?

S. What does it Say?
O. How should we Obey?
W. Who needs to hear this?Ephesians 4:11-16 … Definition of Leadership.

Eph 4:12 to equip the saints
for the work of ministry,
for building up the body of Christ …

• καταρτισμὸν – with a view toward the perfecting (equipping, mending) …
• οἰκοδομὴν – build up (connect) and edify (empower)

What are the methods employed by the team leader to accomplish this task in Ephesians 4:13-16?

This resource for teaching Module 1 of the Certified Lay Minister program of the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference is developed by David Kueker and is based on Module I: Call and Covenant for Ministry, copyright 2016 by Discipleship Resources, Nashville, TN.
CLM 1.5, Reviewed: 2-19-22.

SATURDAY MORNING

Module One: Call and Covenant for Ministry

Purpose: To provide a basic overview of the call to ministry, theology, and ordering of ministry in The United Methodist Church; to explain the role of Certified Lay Minister; to support the formation of a Mutual Ministry Team for learning and leading in the congregation; and to develop a ministry covenant to guide mission.

Learning Goals. At the end of this module, the participant will be able to:

• discuss ministry in The United Methodist tradition and its various expressions,
• demonstrate the diverse forms and distinctions of ministry and how they relate,
• describe and discuss spiritual gifts and their use in shared ministry with the church and community,
• write a mutual ministry covenant and
• present it to the congregation or ministry setting for acceptance.

MINISTRY IN THE UNITED METHODIST TRADITION AND REALITY TODAY

WESLEY COVENANT PRAYER
I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen.

DISCIPLESHIP PATHWAYS (Equipping Tracks): Today, Wesley/England, the American frontier.

• GBOD = SeeAllThePeople.org … stop fixing the church … open the doors and see all the people.
  
• Key to this movement of the Spirit is the concept that conversion happens in the midst of Christian conversation, that rather than an us-against-them approach, people come to faith in the midst of Christian community. The primary evangelistic strategy of the 21st century is the establishment of new faith communities that invite people to experience the grace of God through the practice of the Christian spiritual disciplines, through hands-on experiences of mission and ministry, and through the celebration of the Christian life in worship. (Craig Miller, NextChurch.Now, 6.)
  
• A faith community is created when a worship experience is tied to a discipleship system. A worshiping group without a discipleship system is not a faith community; it is simply a place to worship God. A faith community intentionally creates settings that link worship to discipleship and spiritual formation. The primary purpose of this community is to reach out to new people to offer them experience of the grace of God that can transform them into disciples of Christ. (Ibid.)
  
• CPM/T4T Bible Study Method:
  S. What does it Say?
  O. What does it say that I need to Obey?
  W. Who needs to hear this?

CLM: the LTR of Ministry. (Long Term Relationship)
1. Laity … Sent and Serving.
2. Team … Mutual Ministry Team
3. Rules … Covenant, policy, guidelines.

The Purpose of the Church – 89% vs 11% (Win Arn, quoted in The Purpose Driven Church)
Choice A: The purpose of the church is “to meet the spiritual needs of me and my family”
Choice B: The purpose of the church is “to save the lost and fulfill the Great Commission”

Mark 1:32 That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together about the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. 35 And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him pursued him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Every one is searching for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

John 20:19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Three layers of ministry: fill in the blanks.

1. It’s not about ____________. (Maintenance: Y______)
2. It’s not about the _________. (Missional: O________) Mark 1:32-39
3. It is about ______ and _____. (Meaning: J________) John 20:19-23

This resource for teaching Module 1 of the Certified Lay Minister program of the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference is developed by David Kueker and is based on Module I: Call and Covenant for Ministry, copyright 2016 by Discipleship Resources, Nashville, TN.
CLM 1.4, Reviewed: 2-19-22.

Quote: Some congregations seem to go on autopilot-simply repeating what they’ve always done. This cycle will not work with the assignment of a CLM. This leadership role is different from the ordained or licensed pastors you may have had appointed in the past. For one thing, they must serve as part of a ministry team. This means they are not to “do” ministry for the congregation – they are to be “in ministry” with the congregation. (p. 21, CLM Book)

How would this be different for the congregation where you are a member, if we changed everything to follow the new pattern of ministry?

This Mutual Ministry Covenant “is essential because at the very heart of this form of ministry is a Mutual Ministry Team that shares a mission locally. There are no solo ministers in the process. The CLM is part of a ministry team. The covenant guides the mission and the ministry.”

How would this be different for the congregation where you are a member, if we changed everything to follow the new pattern of ministry?

Closing Prayer
My covenant: (Five Fingers)
Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.
Lord, I obey. Help my disobedience.
Lord, I follow. Thank you for the path, for guidance, for providence and protection.
I humbly ask for wisdom and for knowledge in every human situation.
Lord, help me to flourish as a part of the vine. Amen.

David O. Kueker – dkueker@yahoo.com – Cell/text: 618-780-0151 – Home: 618-547-3415
www.disciplewalk.com – – – www.ambidextrouschurch.com – – – www.disciplemaking101.com

This resource for teaching Module 1 of the Certified Lay Minister program of the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference is developed by David Kueker and is based on Module I: Call and Covenant for Ministry, copyright 2016 by Discipleship Resources, Nashville, TN.
CLM 1.3, Reviewed: 2-19-22.

CLM Process Steps from the Book of Discipline:

• Please mark the line that reflects your current status. Any questions?

¶ 268. Certified Lay Minister— 2016 Book of Discipline

1. A certified lay minister is a certified lay servant,
   certified lay missioner, or equivalent as defined by his or her central conference,
   who is called and equipped to
   conduct public worship,
   care for the congregation,
   assist in program leadership,
   develop new and existing faith communities,
   preach the Word,
   lead small groups,
   or establish community outreach ministries
   as part of a ministry team
   with the supervision and support of a clergyperson.

A certified lay minister is assigned by a district superintendent in accordance with ¶ 419.2.

2. The certified lay minister serves to enhance the quality of ministry much like a class leader did in early Methodism through service in the local church, circuit or cooperative parish, or by expanding team ministry in other churches and charges. As with lay ministry in early Methodism, the certified lay minister uses his or her spiritual gifts as evidence of God’s grace.
   
3. One may be recognized by the conference committee on lay servant ministries, or equivalent structure, as a certified lay minister after he or she has:
   a) been certified as a lay servant, lay missioner, or equivalent as defined by his or her central conference;
   b) obtained written recommendation from the pastor and the church council or charge conference of the local church in which he or she holds membership;
   c) completed a track of study for certified lay ministers relevant to the candidate’s assignment as defined by the General Board of Discipleship, or the National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry in collaboration with the General Board of Discipleship, and the conference committee on Lay Servant Ministries or equivalent structure;
   d) received a letter of recommendation from his or her district superintendent;
   e) had all requirements for certification, including appropriate screening and assessment as defined by the annual conference, reviewed by the conference committee on Lay Servant Ministries, or equivalent structure, for referral to the district committee on ordained ministry for examination of persons who have applied in writing to be certified lay ministers and to make recommendation for certification (see ¶ 666.10). After the district committee on ordained ministry interviews the candidate, the district committee on ordained ministry will make a recommendation to the conference committee on Lay Servant Ministries for final certification by that committee.
4. Recognition as a certified lay minister may be renewed every two years by the conference committee on Lay Servant Ministries, or equivalent structure, after the certified lay minister has …
5. A certified lay minister may transfer certification to another district or conference …
6. A certified lay minister is not eligible for support by equitable compensation funds or pension funds that are provided for clergy …

ONE YEAR LIMIT – – –

¶ 205. Definition of a Pastoral Charge—

4. When a pastoral charge is not able to be served by an ordained or licensed minister, the bishop, upon recommendation of the cabinet, may assign a qualified and trained layperson, lay minister or lay missioner to do the work of ministry in that charge. The layperson is accountable to the district superintendent or another ordained or licensed minister appointed to oversee the charge, who will make provision for sacramental ministry. Upon the bishop’s assignment, the layperson will be assigned an additional clergyperson as a guide to provide support in the assignment. If the assignment is to continue longer than one year, within that year the layperson will begin the process of becoming either a certified lay minister or a certified candidate, thus coming under the care of the District Committee on Ministry. The layperson assigned is also accountable to the policies and procedures of the annual conference where assigned.

2016 Book of Discipline online source: https://www.ngumc.org/files/websites/ngumc/Book+of+Discipline+2016.pdf

This resource for teaching Module 1 of the Certified Lay Minister program of the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference is developed by David Kueker and is based on Module I: Call and Covenant for Ministry, copyright 2016 by Discipleship Resources, Nashville, TN.
CLM 1.2, Reviewed: 2-19-22.

Module One: Call and Covenant for Ministry – November 12-13, 2021

Centering Prayer: Lord Jesus, today I am far less than the person I want to be or can be with your help. I ask today that you would be more and more the center of my life. Guide me to all that is good, cleanse me from all that is not. Teach me Your ways and form in me Your nature. Help me to serve you as I am gifted. Help me to notice my neighbor and work through me to redeem my neighborhood. I am a sinner; please be my Shepherd, my Savior and my Lord. Amen.

Module One: Call and Covenant for Ministry

Purpose: To provide a basic overview of the call to ministry, theology, and ordering of ministry in The United Methodist Church; to explain the role of Certified Lay Minister; to support the formation of a Mutual Ministry Team for learning and leading in the congregation; and to develop a ministry covenant to guide mission.

Learning Goals. At the end of this module, the participant will be able to:

• discuss ministry in The United Methodist tradition and its various expressions,
• demonstrate the diverse forms and distinctions of ministry and how they relate,
• describe and discuss spiritual gifts and their use in shared ministry with the church and community,
• write a mutual ministry covenant and
• present it to the congregation or ministry setting for acceptance.

Self-Introductions

2016 Book of Discipline – Section II. The Ministry of All Christians
Understanding the Ministry of the laity in The United Methodist Tradition

¶ 126. The Heart of Christian Ministry—The heart of Christian ministry is Christ’s ministry of outreaching love. Christian ministry is the expression of the mind and mission of Christ by a community of Christians that demonstrates a common life of gratitude and devotion, witness and service, celebration and discipleship. All Christians are called through their baptism to this ministry of servanthood in the world to the glory of God and for human fulfillment. The forms of this ministry are diverse in locale, in interest, and in denominational accent, yet always catholic in spirit and outreach.

“catholic” adjective 1. including a wide variety of things; all-embracing.
Synonyms: universal, diverse, diversified, wide, broad, broad-based, eclectic, liberal, latitudinarian (allowing latitude, especially in religion; showing no preference among varying creeds and forms of worship); comprehensive, all-encompassing, all-embracing, all-inclusive.

¶ 127. The Ministry of the Laity —The ministry of the laity flows from a commitment to Christ’s outreaching love. Lay members of The United Methodist Church are, by history and calling, active advocates of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Every layperson is called to carry out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20); every layperson is called to be missional. The witness of the laity, their Christ-like examples of everyday living as well as the sharing of their own faith experiences of the gospel, is the primary evangelistic ministry through which all people will come to know Christ and The United Methodist Church will fulfill its mission.

***

“Orders” Exercise.

Sorting Questions: Lay Servant – Lay Speaker – CLM – PTLP – FTLP – Deacon – Elder

1. I would rather serve
   as a volunteer in a church. … or … as an employee of a church.
   
2. As an employee, I would prefer to
   find and choose my own ministry job … or … have the Bishop send me wherever
   most needed (itinerate – no choice).
   (Do you have a “Tether”?)

… or … have a choice and input where I am
assigned by a District
Superintendent.

2. In terms of hours I would rather …
   Work part-time (less than 40) … or … full time (40+ hours per week).

I would like to be Bivocational –
combine ministry + a “day job”

3. I would rather learn …
   “on the job” through continuing education. … or … take three years to go to Seminary
   Master of Divinity, 3-4 yrs post BA
   
   … or … Course of Study (5-12 years)
   Full or part time (Extension)
   
4. I would rather serve as
   a specialist in ministry … or … be a generalist and oversee the
   (focused on serving part of a the whole church.
   ministry of a church …
   or part of a community)
   
5. I like serving as a part of a team … or … I like being the “in
   cooperating with others charge” leader,
   independent and doing my
   own thing my way.

Unique qualities of CLM Innovation … doing with (team leader) instead of doing for (employee). Certified lay ministers are laypersons, and as such may not consecrate the elements at communion, perform weddings, receive new members, or perform baptisms. The CLM, however, may perform all of the other duties of a pastoral leader within the ministry setting he or she is assigned … but they perform these duties as a part of a Ministry Team.

More Information

2016 Book of Discipline online: https://www.ngumc.org/files/websites/ngumc/Book+of+Discipline+2016.pdf

Information on the Course of Study for Local Pastors: https://www.gbhem.org/education/licensing-and-course-study

CLERGY BENEFITS AND COSTS FOR 2022: https://www.igrc.org/clergy-benefits-and-costs

This resource for teaching Module 1 of the Certified Lay Minister program of the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference is developed by David Kueker and is based on Module I: Call and Covenant for Ministry, copyright 2016 by Discipleship Resources, Nashville, TN.
CLM 1.1, Reviewed: 2-19-22.

Note: This post is one in a series of emails to allow discussion as a class via email prior to the first gathering of the class for Module 1 of the Certfied Lay Minister program of the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference. David Kueker is the instructor and developed these introductory emails.
CLM 0.1, Reviewed: 2-19-22.

This resource for teaching Module 1 of the Certified Lay Minister program of the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference is developed by David Kueker and is based on Module I: Call and Covenant for Ministry, copyright 2016 by Discipleship Resources, Nashville, TN.
CLM 1.1, Reviewed: 2-19-22.