# Lay leader

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A **lay leader** is a member of the [laity](/source/Laity) in any congregation who has been chosen as a leader either by their peers or the leadership of the congregation.[1][2][3] In most denominations, lay leadership is not an [ordained](/source/Ordination) [clerical](/source/Cleric) office, and the lay leader's responsibilities vary according to the particular tradition of the congregation. Some organizations do not allow the lay leader to give sacraments for example, but do allow them to perform most other portions of the service that are normally the responsibility of the clergy (e.g. giving sermons when the regular clergy are on vacation).

## By denomination

The Assemblies of God official position paper on Ordination states, "When necessary, the laity can perform all of the functions of ministry except those for which the State requires an ordained minister."

In the [United Methodist Church](/source/United_Methodist_Church) the lay leader refers to the principal layperson in a local church, district or [Annual Conference](/source/Annual_conferences_within_Methodism) who represents and leads the laity in ministry. It is an elected position, and the lay leader will serve on most church committees.

Various titles are used for lay leaders in different religious organizations, including [lay preacher](/source/Lay_preacher); [lay reader](/source/Lay_reader) (in Episcopal churches); [lay speaker](/source/Lay_speaker) (in the United Methodist Church, USA); [local preacher](/source/Local_preacher) (in the UK [Methodist](/source/Methodist) [Church](/source/Church_body) and the Uniting Church in Australia); Reader (in the Anglican Church); and [deacon](/source/Deacon), though this last title can also refer to an ordained ministry.

The Unitarian & Free Christian Churches of Great Britain have Accredited Lay Preachers who take services including rites of passage.

## Responsibilities

The following list gives examples of things lay leaders may be responsible for:

- acting as [ushers](/source/Church_usher)

- acting as [liturgists](/source/Liturgist)

- making announcements

- reading scripture

- offering [sermons](/source/Sermon)

- conducting a complete service

- serving or chairing church committees

- congregational advocate and liaison

## See also

- [Lay speaker](/source/Lay_speaker) (United Methodist Church)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Welcome to Lay Leadership"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180201020231/https://layleadership.com/). Archived from [the original](http://layleadership.com/) on 2018-02-01. Retrieved 2008-03-18.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [UUA: Lay Leadership](http://www.uua.org/visitors/congregationallife/9533.shtml) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080317170002/http://www.uua.org/visitors/congregationallife/9533.shtml) 2008-03-17 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Hillel Names Lay Leadership Exemplars of Excellence"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120207162331/http://www.hillel.org/about/news/2001/20010316_names.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.hillel.org/about/news/2001/20010316_names.htm) on 2012-02-07. Retrieved 2008-03-18.

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