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Types of Ministry

Deacons are ordained to lifetime ministry of Word and Service to community and congregation. In this capacity, they lead the church in relating the gathered life of Christians to their ministries in the world, thus connecting the church’s worship with its service in the world.

Elders are ordained to a lifetime ministry of Service, Word, Sacrament and Order. They are authorized to preach and teach God’s word, to administer the sacraments of baptism and Holy Communion, and to order the life of the church for mission and ministry.

  • Lay Ministry
    Deaconess or Home Missioner
    Deaconess A lay woman who, in response to God's call and on recommendation of the General Board of Global Ministries, is commissioned by a bishop to share faith in Jesus Christ through ministries of love, justice and service. Deaconesses form a covenant community rooted in Scripture, and informed by history, driven by mission, ecumenical in scope and global out-reach. Deaconesses serve the church in any capacity not requiring full clergy rights. They are related to the General Board of Global Ministries. A lifetime commitment to mission is presumed. 
  • Home Missioner - A person of the laity or clergy who, in response to God's call and on recommendation of the General Board of Global Ministries, is commissioned by a bishop to share faith in Jesus Christ and to minister to persons in need. Home missionaries are related to the General Board of Global Ministries. A lifetime commitment is presumed. The category of mission personnel is no longer recruited; they are now included in the category of "missionary."
  • Lay Missioner - A lay person, often working as part of a team, primarily engaged in the task of creating and nurturing new faith communities and in the revitalization of existing congregations, including community ministries.
  • Certified Lay Minister
    The Certified Lay Minister is a new lay position for pastoral leadership in The United Methodist Church authorized by the 2004 General Conference.
  • Certified Ministries
    Certification in specialized ministry in The United Methodist Church is the church’s recognition that an individual has been called to specialized ministry; has made a commitment to meet the standard for academic training, experience, and continuing study necessary; and achieve and maintain excellence in ministry. Certification is available to laity, diaconal ministers, ordained deacons, and ordained elders. (2000 Book of Discipline, ¶632.2.(t). The process for certification in specialized ministry is administered by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, Section of Deacons and Diaconal Ministries. Certification is offered in the areas of Christian education, music ministry, youth ministry, evangelism, spiritual formation, and camp/retreat ministries.