Peggy Hansen, former director of the Conference Committee on Lay Servant Ministries

After a decade of faithful leadership by Peggy Hansen, Lay Servant Ministries in the Northern Illinois Conference is entering a new season under the leadership of Kim Emery. As the Conference welcomes Kim to this role, it also celebrates Peggy’s significant contributions to lay leadership development, including her work expanding the Certified Lay Minister Program and Spanish-language training opportunities.

For the past 10 years, the Conference Committee on Lay Servant Ministries has been faithfully led by Peggy Hansen, a member of St. Andrew UMC in Carol Stream. Peggy is a Certified Lay Minister, a member of the Prairie Central District Committee on Ordained Ministry, and an officer of United Women in Faith. During her tenure as director of the Conference Committee on Lay Servant Ministries, Peggy helped create and develop the Certified Lay Minister (CLM) Program, including its in-person modules. She also worked intentionally to provide Spanish-language Lay Academies, expanding opportunities for Spanish-speaking laity to receive training and grow in their ministry.

Kim Emery, new director of the Conference Committee on Lay Servant Ministries

As Peggy concludes her service as director, Kim Emery begins a new season of leadership for Lay Servant Ministries. Kim recently completed her term as a member and chair of the Conference Committee on Finance and Administration (CCFA). A Certified Lay Speaker and active member of Beth Eden UMC in Rockford, she previously served as director of the Prairie North Lay Academy. Kim brings extensive experience at the local, district, and conference levels, along with significant experience in Lay Servant Ministries. We are grateful for her willingness to provide leadership during this new season.

Lay Servant Ministries provides training opportunities and experiences that equip disciples of Jesus Christ to recognize and respond to their personal call to ministry. The Conference Committee coordinates efforts to provide training for laypeople across the Northern Illinois Conference through District Lay Academies.

The United Methodist Church has established three categories for laypersons within Lay Servant Ministries, designed to develop, prepare, and engage principled Christian leaders for the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world: Certified Lay Servant, Certified Lay Speaker, and Certified Lay Minister.

If you are interested in becoming a Certified Lay Minister, please fill out the interest form. The committee is working to begin a new CLM class in spring 2027.

For more information, please contact Kim Emery or visit the Lay Servant Ministries page.