Laity have long been the stronghold of Methodism and essential to the Wesleyan movement.

John Wesley recognized early the gifts of the laity and called them out raising up new leaders as exhorters, class leaders, and lay preachers. Today Certified Lay Ministers serve in a variety of capacities such as providing pulpit supply, conducting public worship, providing congregational care, serving as church administrator, leading small groups, assisting in program leadership, serving as a lay leader, developing new faith communities and even serving in lead pastoral leadership under the supervision of a clergyperson.