At Large: Twelve members, all of whom shall be laypersons, six men and six women (one of whom shall be nominated from a name or names submitted by ARP Women's Ministries)
Advisory: President of ARP Women's Ministries, Director of Lay Ministry, ARP Women's Ministries Conference Director, ARP Women's Ministries Leadership Training Chairman, President of Alliance of Loyal Laity, Family Bible Conference Director, Moderator of Synod, Moderator-Elect of Synod, Coordinator of the General Synod, Cornerstone Planning Committee Chairman. (2000 Minutes of Synod, p. 681)

At Large: Four years.
Advisory: As determined by the office to which elected or appointed.

At least annually.

The Committee on Lay Ministry shall promote, train for, encourage, and support by all means available lay involvement in the total ministry of the church to the world.

In the exercise of its authority, the Committee shall comply with the Standards of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, and its policies and programs shall be consistent with the purpose of the General Synod.

1. To plan and execute, in cooperation with presbyteries, congregations, and the ARP Women's Ministries, conferences, retreats, and workshops with a view of involving men, women, and young people.
2. To plan and execute a Family Bible Conference for the Synod each year in coordination with the ARP Women's Ministries and agencies of Synod.
3. To recommend to the General Synod a Family Bible Conference Director.
4. To promote the work of laymen through denominational publications and other media.
5. To encourage utilization of lay persons within the ministry of the church in such areas as evangelism, teaching ministry, stewardship, and services on boards and committees of congregations, presbyteries, and Synod.
6. To recommend to the Synod for appointment the Director of Lay Ministry and to direct the work of this person.
7. To promote lay centered Bible study in congregations of the denomination through such programs as Bible Mastery Month, home Bible study, and family altars.
8. To present to Synod an operating budget to cover cost of conferences, salaries, and expenses for the administration of lay ministry.
9. As a part of lay ministry, to promote men's work in presbyteries and congregations.
10. To report annually to the General Synod.

The Family Bible Conference Director is approved by the General Synod on recommendation from the Lay Ministry Committee.
The Director shall serve a two-year term.
The Assistant Director, after serving two years, becomes Director. If the Assistant Director cannot become Director, the Lay Ministry Committee shall appoint a Director subject to the approval of Synod.

1. General oversight and coordination of the conference program.
2. Through the Lay Ministry Committee, make budget requests to the General Synod for the Family Bible conference.
3 Serve as liaison with the Bonclarken staff.
4. Chair the Conference Planning Committee consisting of the Director, Assistant Director, the Director of Lay Ministry, and the ARP Women's Ministries Conference Committee.
5. Secure the following conference personnel:

a. Music Leader
b. Morning Watch Leader
c. Workshop Leaders as need may arise. This will be done in coordination with the ARP Women's Ministries Conference Committee.
d. Evening Worship Leader. This person is to be chosen from a list of speakers approved by the Committee on Lay Ministry.
f. Registrars

6. Work with the ARP Women's Ministries leadership to coordinate the ARP Women's Ministries emphasis.
7. Collect pictures, biographical data of conference participants.
8. Prepare conference publicity posters and distribute them to churches.
9. In coordination with the ARP Women's Ministries Conference Director, prepare the printed program and arrange for printing.
10. Makes necessary conference reservations with Bonclarken.
11. In coordination with the ARP Women's Ministries Conference Director, arrange for use of rooms and facilities at Bonclarken.
12. Set dates with Bonclarken for future conferences.
13. Coordinate with the Editor of The Associate Reformed Presbyterian to publish line item conference program and sketches of participants.
14. Serve as advisory member of Lay Ministry Committee.

During the second year as Assistant Director, he shall meet with the Conference Sub-committee of the Lay Ministry Committee to consider the Assistant Director for the following year. This committee shall recommend to the Lay Ministry Committee a person to fill this position after considering all input from each person on the sub-committee.

1. To work with the Director to coordinate and carry out the conference program.
2. To serve as a member of the Conference Planning Committee.
3. To carry out the duties of the Director in his absence.
4. To assume other responsibilities as assigned by the Director.
5. To oversee the registrars.

The Treasurer shall serve a two-year term and can succeed himself. The Treasurer is appointed to his position by the Lay Ministry Committee. He does not have to be a member of the Lay Ministry Committee; however, he shall be a lay person of good reputation, skilled in accounting as well as leadership. He shall serve as both a trainer and advisor to the incoming Assistant Director and Director.

1. Attends Family Bible Conference.
2. Maintains a checking account for the Family Bible Conference.
3. In coordination with the Director and Assistant Director, applies for the appropriated funds from the General Synod.
4. Handles and disburses funds that come from General Synod and Conference registrations as well as other gifts directed to the Conference.
5. Advises Director and Assistant Director in availability of funding for proposed expenditures.
6. Files a yearly financial report with the Chairman of the Lay Ministry Committee following each Conference.

Director of Lay Ministry
Reports to: Chairman of Lay Ministry Committee

Part-time

Must be energetic, enthusiastic, good organizer, excel in communication.

The Director of Lay Ministry is responsible for coordinating, planning, implementing and evaluating the effectiveness of the lay ministry program throughout the Synod under the direction of the Lay Ministry Committee.

1. Prepares material for publication in the ARP Magazine to promote involvement of lay persons in the total ministry of the church.
2. Visits and promotes lay ministry throughout the Synod.
3. Serves in an advisory capacity on the Lay Ministry Committee.
4. Develops and directs program for Layman's Weekend Retreat.
5. Assists the Director of the Family Bible Conference.
6. Prepares correspondence necessary to complete tasks.
7. Provides Lay Ministry Chairman with monthly documentation of activities and expenses incurred.
8. Applies the philosophy of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Synod.
9. Cooperates with ARP Women's Ministries, Bonclarken staff, ARP Conference Center and other committees.
10. Request must be submitted to the Lay Ministry Committee to serve on additional committees.
11. Serves a term of office for one year.