At the 2016 General Conference legislation was passed changing the designations of the Lay Servant program.  Below are the various categories of Lay Servants along with descriptions and requirements for each.

A Lay Servant  is a professing member of a local church or charge who is ready and desirous to serve the Church and who is well informed on and committed to the Scriptures and the doctrine, heritage, organization, and life of the United Methodist Church and who has received specific training to develop skills in witnessing to the Christian faith through spoken communication, church and community leadership and care-giving ministries.  An applicant must be active in the support of the local church or charge.  For more specific information on the duties and responsibilities of a Lay Servant, refer to paragraph 266 of the 2016 Book of Discipline.