Methodist lay preachers

[Roobarb]

Two of my great grandparents were Methodist lay preachers and I suspect that may have been how my grandparents met. Does anyone know where I can look up information about lay preachers ? Have tried on Genuki and search engines but haven't come up with anything very useful

[celia]

Hi Roobarb
From The Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary.
Definition of Lay Preacher
Having a position in an organization especially a religious one,that is not full time and is not paid.

The word Lay person isn't used much these days outside of a church.We use part time now

Celia

[Roobarb]

Thanks Celia, I think the definition pretty well sums up what they were! One was a Balcksmith and the other a Furniture Dealer, I think they just did the preaching on Sundays. The census says 'Local Preacher' but my dad always referred to his grandfather as a lay preacher so that's why I used that term.