Book excerpt: The heart of local church ministry is in its lay leadership. Identifying, developing, deploying, and evaluating Christian spiritual leaders who serve from their strengths and gifts is a key to the life and vitality of the congregation. This guideline is designed to help implement the work of the ministry area, which is formerly known as Committee on Lay Leadership. This is one of the twenty-six Guidelines that cover church leadership areas including Church Council and Small Membership Church; the administrative areas of Finance and Trustees; and ministry areas focused on nurture, outreach, and.