Join the Lay Witness Movement and share your Christian faith;
An opportunity to help churches with spiritual growth.

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, and are willing to share their experiences and lead discussion groups in a gentle, non-threatening way.

Training is compulsory. 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.

What cost is involved?

There is no membership cost but team members normally travel to Weekends at their own expense. You stay in the home of a member of the congregation and meals are provided by the church.

What training is given?

Training sessions are held at different locations twice a year. Anyone interested in joining the Movement is welcome to attend a Training Day without obligation. All members are required to be trained at least once every three years. Initially, training is given for the Sharing God’s Love Weekend. With experience you will progress to the Living in God’s Love Weekend.

A workbook and handbook is supplied, giving guidance on the preparation that is required for a Weekend. The support and encouragement of the Team Leaders and other team members is always available during a Weekend.

What is the benefit of being a member?

It is one way of responding to the commission of Jesus to His disciples: “You will be my witnesses ….” Weekends can bring blessings to Team Members who are often strengthened in faith, making them better equipped for work in their own church.

What is a Lay Witness Weekend?

Teams of lay people visit a church and share their Christian experiences. Weekends begin with a team meeting at 5.30 pm on Friday and end after lunch on Sunday. Teams consist of adult Team Members and if possible, where appropriate, a Youth Leader. All are responsible to the appointed Team Leaders.

The aims of a Weekend are to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus; to build the church family into a loving, caring community and to encourage prayer and fellowship groups.

What is the role of a Team Member?

Team Members will be expected to share a short up-to-date talk about what Jesus has done and is doing in their lives. They will also lead small discussion groups using Lay Witness material and be involved in prayer support. Weekends are gentle and low-key and Team Members are expected to share their faith without putting pressure on anyone.

Where appropriate, Youth Leaders will lead activities for the young people of the church. Youth Leaders must be at least 18 years of age and hold, or obtain, an advanced disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau. To comply with safeguarding procedures the church will appoint a qualified person to assist the Youth Leader.

What happens after acceptance as a member?

Your name will be put on the membership list from which teams are selected. In due course you will receive an invitation to join a team and take a full part in a Sharing God’s Love Weekend. Weekends are held in spring and autumn and Team Members are encouraged to be available for at least one, usually two, but not more than four weekends each year.

Still interested — what is the next step?

Contact the Lay Witness Movement who will answer any queries and supply you with an application form. Your Minister will be required to sign the form in order to confirm that you are an established member of a church and a suitable person to join the Movement. Once a completed form is received you will be invited to attend a Weekend, and where possible, a training session.

On your first Weekend you will go as an observer. You will not tell your story or lead a group but you will provide prayer support. This gives you and the Movement the opportunity to consider seriously whether God is guiding you into this work.