Who arranges the Weekend?

The Lay Witness Movement is independent and non-denominational. It has brought renewed spiritual life to churches and individuals since 1976. The Movement appoints Team Leaders and a team, who will lead the Weekend from Friday evening to Sunday lunchtime.

What preparation is needed?

Careful planning is important and a detailed preparation manual is provided. The Team Leaders will visit the church and are available throughout the preparation period to give help, advice and encouragement.

What does a Weekend cost?

The main costs to the church are for meals, publicity and a small charge for the preparation manuals. Team members travel at their own expense and freely give their services. Churches are invited to send a donation to the Movement after the Weekend.

All Weekends have the following in common:

• They are gentle and low-key, but very effective. No pressure is placed on church members.
   
• Help is provided in the form of comprehensive preparation manuals, and advice and guidance from the Team Leaders, who visit the church two or three times before the Weekend.
   
• Each weekend involves meals, worship, and small group discussion. They are led by a team of lay people who share something of their own Christian stories and lead the groups.
   
• No charge is made (except for the cost of the preparation manuals). The Team Members travel at their own expense. After the Weekend churches are asked to make a donation towards the expenses of the Movement.
   
• It is vital that plans are made to build on the results of the Weekend before the Weekend starts.

Lay Witness Team Members

The team for a church is chosen from about 250 Team Members, reflecting, as far as possible, the profile of the church congregation. They come from many denominations and most of them have joined as a result of experiencing a Weekend at their own church.

Team Members are:

• Aged 18 or over.
• Have an ongoing personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Are willing to share their experiences and lead discussion groups in a gentle, non-threatening way.

Training is compulsory and Team Members are expected to attend Training Days at least once every three years. Training Days are held twice each year in various venues around the country.

Team Members travel to the church at their own expense. In addition, the Movement has over one hundred Prayer Members and a number of these are assigned to each Weekend. They are committed to pray for the Weekend, before, during and after it. They also communicate with the church and the Team Leaders.

Where there are significant numbers of young people of secondary School age at the church, we will try to provide a Youth Team Leader.