Meeting Together

Local Preachers' Secretaries: see the three links below to find Forms, Guidance and Frequently-Asked Questions and more...

Meeting Together

As Local Preachers and Worship Leaders, we share in a common task of providing opportunities for people to encounter God. We encourage the people of God to worship and serve, and we encourage each other in our calling. Meeting together is not an option, but an essential part of our shared mission.

As Local Preachers, it's actually our duty too: Standing Order 563(3)(i) requires us to attend the Local Preachers' Meeting unless unable to for good reason. We use the term "Local Preachers' Meeting" here (it's the official term in our Standing Orders), but we encourage all Local Preachers and Worship Leaders to meet together regularly, so this applies to Leaders of Worship and Preachers' Meetings too, or whatever you call yours.

When we meet, we:

• Worship together
• Reflect on what God is doing in our area and how we can join in
• Support those in training
• Learn together and develop our skills and understanding

Meeting Well

Is it time to refresh your Local Preachers' Meeting? 

Here's an outline for you to use.  It's flexible so you can adapt it for your needs:

Listening for God - an outline for your next Local Preachers' Meeting

Here is a summary of the essentials for when we meet, with some suggestions for how to make the most of our time together:

Meeting Well: Guidelines for Local Preachers' Meetings

Wondering how to encourage more local preachers and worship leaders to come to the meetings? Why not ask them all what they would like the meetings to be like?  Here are some ideas about questions you could ask:

Meeting Well: Questions to Ask

Reaffirming our Call - annual service for local preachers 

Each year, local preachers are required to attend a service of reaffirmation of their call (Standing Order 563(3)(v)).  This can form part of a Local Preachers' Meeting, or can be an opportunity to share with the wider church, perhaps as part of a circuit service.

PDF version of the order of service

Word version of the order of service (can be edited).

PowerPoint slides for the service.

Reviewing our Ministry

Since the 2018 Conference, Local Preachers are required to "review their ministry" every three years.  This is simply an opportunity to reflect on what we have been learning, what God is requiring of us next, and how we can support each other in our shared ministry.

These two Guidance Notes explain what is required of us, and how peer review can become a helpful part of our continuing development as local preachers:

LP Guidance Note - Reviewing our Ministry 

LP Guidance Note - Peer Review

Necessitous Local Preachers' Fund

The Methodist Church has a benevolent fund which can help out with Local Preachers facing particular financial hardship. Click here for more information.

Local Arrangements

A Local Arrangement is a service of worship where there is no allocated Minister or Local Preacher available to take responsibility for leading worship.  Local Arrangements can be a fantastic opportunity for building up the congregation and releasing new gifts and creativity for the glory of God.

Guidance for Local Arrangements

Please share this download with anyone in your circuit who is involved with Local Arrangements in their church. 

Why not discuss at your Local Preachers' Meeting whether there is more you could do to encourage and equip those leading and participating in Local Arrangements around your circuit?

More ideas for Local Arrangements at Singing the Faith+