A lay speaker is a position in the United Methodist Church for the laity.

Technically, a lay speaker is a “member of a local church … who is ready … to serve the Church... and is well informed on and committed to the Scriptures ... and the UMC”^[1] Generally, lay speakers are UMC leaders on local, district, and conference levels. Lay speakers often lead worship services when a minister is not available.

There are two types of lay speakers: local lay speakers and certified lay speakers.^[2] Local lay speakers need only take one basic course and serve in their local congregation only. Certified lay speakers must initially take six classes^[3] and continue their education once every three years.^[4] They may serve churches of which they are not members.