What Are Lay Servants?
Are called ... Lay Servants are lay members of the United Methodist Church who are called to give primary attention to service within the local church. They may hear their call in the Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course and explore it through the advanced course Spiritual Gifts.
Are equipped ... Lay servants are equipped through Advanced Courses to collaborate with clergy and to grow in service to church and community through ministries of Leading, Caring and Communicating.
Are sent ... When Lay Servants are called, equipped, sent and effectively deployed, the missional results within the local congregation can energize the entire laity, so that together, we can make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!
Watch Recording of 2022 Laity Event
Courses Offered
| What | When | Details |
| Soul Reset | Oct. 1-Nov. 5 | Information |
| Basic | Oct. 21-28 | Information |
A special Certified Lay Servant training session in American Sign Language for the Deaf will be held Nov. 3-5 at Walnut Hill Church as part of the UMCD Deaf leadership Conference, "Ministry of All Believers." The cost of the workshop for the three days is $100, including five meals.
Directors
Lori Massey
Phone number: 903-227-0302
Email
I have worked in health insurance claims for over 42 years. However, my passion is living in ministry. I became a Certified Lay Speaker in 2004, serving as a district director in 2008, and completed the Certified Lay Minister course in 2010. I have facilitated a number of classes. One of my favorite classes is the Basic classes. I am blessed to see the Spiritual growth and Spiritual journey of many. The Lay Servant Ministries has 3 main focus points: Caring, Leading and Communicating. The three focus points I have embraced with this is: Encouraging, Empowering and Engaging. These are active verbs in which I believe all Christians are called in ministry with each other and the world around. East District lay servants teach classes, lead worship and fill pulpits on a routine basis. There are leadership roles that are served. This helps our small rural congregations continue to live a full life.
District Happenings
Rodrick Dangerfield
Phone number: 214-918-4101
Email
I have been active in Lay Servant Ministries over the past 10 years serving as one of the district's facilitators. I look forward to our continued commitment in Leading, Caring and Communicating. We have exciting opportunities before us in learning how to effectively minister to our communities and to make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. My transition into this role comes at a challenging time for our nation as we are physically distant as a result of COVID-19, while also being called to address matters of social justice. Despite our current circumstances, we have the opportunity to minister to people in unique and innovative ways. While many of us may be pained by the experiences that we are encountering, let us be hopeful in the message that we have to share and that is God is with us.
District Happenings
Blanche Farnam
Phone number: 530-863-0589
Email
“Rise Up! And remain committed to Love’s teachings.” Adapted from 2Timothy 1:13. Lay Servant Ministries offers to all lay people the opportunity to be equipped and prepared witnesses of Christ. I am an active disciple of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Carrollton. Thirty-eight years of public-school teaching and 31 years of ministries of Lay Servants have been my background and spiritual foundation. I am passionate about organizing, leading, witnessing and walking on the journeys of faith of all believers. I am committed to the United Methodist Church at the local, district, conference, jurisdictional and General Conference levels. I am here to serve and welcome all who want to witness for Christ through Lay Servant Ministries.
District Happenings
David MacLagan
Phone number: 940-692-9493
I am a member of Floral Heights UMC in Wichita Falls. I am a certified Lay Servant and have spoken regularly at the breakfast ministry of my church for years. I first started speaking about my walk with Christ with training from Rev. John Edwards at Wesley UMC in Wichita Falls in 1998. I graduated from Midwestern State University. My wife Brenda and I have been married for more than 30 years, and I am the proud father of two daughters. I run Hayes Street Market, a marketing company.