The Lay Servant Ministry (LSM) of the United Methodist Church (UMC) has been a longstanding initiative designed to develop lay leaders who support the mission and ministries of the church. However, the program has often fallen short in producing leaders who not only serve but also actively engage in making disciples. This gap reveals the need for restructuring the LSM to become an intentional avenue for discipleship training, aligning with the UMC’s mission of “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”¹ This shift would involve a change in focus from administrative and supportive roles to one that emphasizes spiritual maturity and mentoring as central to lay leadership.
The Current Limitations of LSM
The LSM, though “historically focused on developing laypersons to support the practical and administrative work of the local church,”² has not adequately addressed the need for lay leaders to engage in making disciples. While it has successfully “equipped laypeople for service,”³ it often fails to provide the theological depth and practical skills necessary for making disciples who can disciple others. The challenge is that lay servants are not consistently trained in the spiritual and relational aspects of discipleship, which should be central to their roles. As a result, many lay leaders remain limited in their impact, often serving within their local congregations without extending their leadership into wider disciple-making networks.
Contextualizing Materials for Discipleship Focus
One way to address these shortcomings is by developing contextualized materials focused on discipleship. As Susan Willhauck notes, “Discipleship is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach; it must be adaptable to the cultural, social, and congregational contexts in which the church operates.”⁴ Materials used in LSM must, therefore, “focus on essential Christian disciplines such as prayer, scripture study, and service,”⁵ while being flexible enough to be relevant in various local settings. This would allow LSM participants to not only learn leadership skills but also grow in spiritual depth, forming relationships that help them mentor others in the faith.
Extended Training Periods for Depth and Growth
A significant change needed for the LSM to become an effective discipleship tool is the extension of its training periods. “The current model, often consisting of brief workshops or one-day seminars, is insufficient for the development of deep discipleship skills,”⁶ argues Steven Manskar. True discipleship requires time to practice, reflect, and internalize spiritual disciplines. As such, LSM should adopt a more extended training model, with semester-based or year-long courses where participants can fully engage in ongoing learning, receive feedback, and experience growth. Discipleship, as Manskar states, “is not a one-time event but a process that unfolds over time.”⁷ This approach would better equip lay servants to lead others in their spiritual growth.
Establishing District Lay Leadership Centers
Another important reform is the creation of district-level lay servant leadership centers that would operate year-round. These centers would serve as “hubs for continuous training, spiritual formation, and leadership development,”⁸ offering a variety of discipleship-focused programs and retreats. Willhauck suggests that such centers would provide “a centralized and consistent location where lay leaders can access resources, receive mentoring, and engage with others in the journey of discipleship.”⁹ This would ensure that lay servants are not isolated in their learning but part of a broader, supportive community that fosters accountability and growth.
Appointing Pastoral Mentors for Lay Leadership Formation
To further ensure that lay leaders are well-equipped, each district should assign a pastor to oversee the formation of lay leadership. This pastoral mentor would serve as “a guide for lay servants, offering theological instruction and spiritual support,”¹⁰ ensuring that participants are not merely learning leadership skills but also growing in their faith and capacity to disciple others. Having a pastoral mentor provides a necessary level of oversight and accountability, fostering deeper spiritual growth. This mentoring relationship is vital for helping lay servants become more than just program leaders, as they will be equipped to become spiritual mentors and disciple-makers themselves.
Accredited and Structured Curriculum
Finally, the LSM training should be formalized with an accredited curriculum that can be recognized within the broader UMC educational system. Manskar emphasizes that “accreditation ensures that the program is taken seriously, with measurable outcomes and a consistent standard of training.”¹¹ Participants would earn certificates by completing units focused on theology, spiritual formation, and practical ministry skills. An accredited program would not only enhance the credibility of LSM but also provide participants with clear goals and incentives to complete their training, further contributing to their growth as disciple-making leaders.
Conclusion
The Lay Servant Ministry of the United Methodist Church has significant potential to become an effective tool for discipleship training. However, to realize this potential, the program requires a thorough restructuring. By utilizing contextualized materials, extending training periods, establishing district lay leadership centers, appointing pastoral mentors, and formalizing the curriculum through accreditation, the LSM can become a dynamic avenue for developing leaders who are not only equipped to serve but are also committed to making disciples. This transformation aligns with the UMC’s broader mission and will empower lay servants to lead in fulfilling the church’s call to make disciples of all nations.
Footnotes
- “The United Methodist Church: The Mission,” The United Methodist Church, accessed October 19, 2024, https://www.umc.org/en/what-we-believe.
- Susan Willhauck, Equipping the Saints: Best Practices in Contextual Lay Leadership Development (Nashville, TN: Discipleship Resources, 2013), 35.
- Steven W. Manskar, Disciples Making Disciples: A Guide for Covenant Discipleship Groups & Class Leaders (Nashville, TN: Discipleship Resources, 2016), 45-46.
- Willhauck, Equipping the Saints, 40.
- Ibid.
- Manskar, Disciples Making Disciples, 32.
- Ibid.
- Willhauck, Equipping the Saints, 102-105.
- Ibid.
- Manskar, Disciples Making Disciples, 55.
- Ibid., 60.
