2016 Wesleyan Discipline: 3410–3420

3410. Granting a Lay Minister’s License. A local Wesleyan church member, who meets the leadership qualifications (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:260–268; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:558), and who applies for a license as a lay minister or who is presented as a candidate for such license by the pastor shall be examined by the local board of administration. If the local board of administration is satisfied that the candidate shows promise of the proper gifts and usefulness, it shall recommend to the local church conference the granting of a license (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:782:20), unless the local church conference has delegated such authority to the local board of administration. When the license has been authorized (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:650:6; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:655:7), the pastor and local church secretary shall issue the license on the approved form (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:6200; cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:725:28; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:830:3). 3420. Renewing a Lay Minister’s License. A lay minister’s license is effective for one year only, and authority to preach or serve under such a license shall cease unless it is renewed annually by the authorized body. The authorized body may renew the license if its holder has served satisfactorily under the pastor’s direction, if personal gifts and graces give promise of continued usefulness, and if the annual report of the Ministerial Study Course Agency shows that the lay minister has completed two courses in the study course for lay ministers (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3210:4) during the year, or if the lay minister holds a certificate from the Ministerial Study Course Agency showing that the study course has been completed.