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Certified Lay Ministry

A Certified Lay Minister (CLM) is a lay person who serves the small membership church.  The CLM will preach the Word, provide a care ministry to the congregation, assist in program worship and be a witness in the community for the growth, missional, and connectional thrust of the United Methodist Church.

To become a certified lay minister, the person will pass eleven courses and be approved by the District Committee on Ordained Ministry (DCOM).  A student is responsible for visiting with their district superintendent to begin the DCOM process. 

To begin training, apply to the director of the CLM program, Rev. Carl Ellis. Download a Certified Lay Minister Training Program Application. Send the completed application to Rev. Carl Ellis, Center for the Small Membership Church, Kansas Wesleyan University, 100 E. Claflin Room 315 Box 81
Salina, KS 67401 or e-mail it to cellis@kswestumc.org.    

The Kansas Area of the United Methodist Church, in partnership with Kansas Wesleyan University, has developed courses that will help lay people develop a base for leadership.  When students complete the CLM courses, they will be able to articulate the faith in written and verbal form.

The following courses are offered:  

• Intro to Certified Lay Ministry
• Scripture and Biblical  Interpretation Old Testament
• Scripture and Biblical  Interpretation New Testament
• Preaching
• Worship
• Pastoral Care
• United Methodist  History and Polity
• United Methodist Theology and Doctrine
• Mission and Social Concerns
• Evangelism

An advanced course, Practice of Ministry, is offered one Saturday a month from September to April.

Rev. Carl Ellis, director of the Center for Small Membership Churches, directs the program. Four sessions are offered each year at three different locations spread geographically across the state. Each session is offered three times, but may not be taught by the same instructor at each location.

Workshop dates and locations are available on the conference calendar.   Download, fill out and print the Certified Lay Ministry Registration Form. 

The Introduction to Certified Lay Ministry is offered online twice a year.  Classes start September 14 in the fall and January 14 in the winter each year.

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