“ You shall be my  witnesses. "   

Acts 1:8

ONE WAY TO BRING RENEWAL

INTO THE LIFE OF A

CONGREGATION

AND BEYOND....

The Lay Witness Movement has existed within Irish Methodism for more than twenty-five years.  The movement also exists in Britain, the USA, and many other countries.  It is formed from Christians whose experience of the Lord Jesus Christ is real, vibrant and lived out daily.  They are prepared and willing to fulfil His command to all Christians to be His "witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

This is most usually carried out in a local church over a special weekend called a Lay Witness Weekend.  The weekend normally consists of fellowship meals, praise and testimony rallies, small home coffee discussion groups and other events.  The Sunday services also form part of the programme. 

Within the Irish connexion, the movement is steered by 5 lay people who can be contacted through the website.  When a church is considering having a weekend, some of this group will come and explain the nature of the weekend – it is a venture in faith!  The church leaders will discuss what they perceive the needs of the church to be and their vision for it.  The local congregation would be involved in the organisation of such an event.  An experienced member of the movement will be asked to be responsible for the weekend and to form a team of 6 - 20 people.

Many churches and individuals have experienced renewal, deepening of personal faith, deepening of commitment, or other blessing from God through such a weekend.  Team members also are blessed as they step forward in expectant faith.  You may wish to talk further to one of the leaders about these experiences or indeed folk from a church which has had a weekend.

An annual conference is held each March in Glenada, Newcastle.  It is open to all.  A newsletter is circulated during the year.

Use contact.us AT laywitnessireland.org or the individual e-mail addresses on the Committee page to relay your thoughts.