Interested aspirants should go through a process of self-discernment. Review all the materials on the CLM website, contact any member of the CLM council to express interest and seek insight into what the program is like.

Questions to consider are:

• Why do I want to become a CLM as opposed to an "active and committed lay member”?
• What gifts do I have to offer?
• What are the costs (money, time, emotional energy) of the program?
• What will I need to give up to be a CLM?
• What areas of the program will be a challenge for me?
• How will my relationship to the minister, staff, leaders, and members of my congregation change if I become a CLM, and do I accept those changes?

The aspirant should prepare and present a presentation to the congregational leadership about the CLM program. Assistance to the applicant and the leadership is available from the CLM Council. This includes helping the congregation's leadership understand the roles of the congregation and the CLM.

If the congregation has an existing CLM process, it should be reviewed with the CLM Council and congregational leadership and amended as necessary.

If the congregation is not familiar with the CLM program then the following process should occur:

1. Council names a resource for congregation - could be a Council member, or a team from similar congregation
2. Resource person(s) meet with leadership and aspirant to discuss the CLM program.

Questions to answer:

• What is the role of a CLM in the congregation? Possible areas of specialization AND general issues about role of lay ministers?
• What is CLM training?
• What are the benefits to the congregation and CLM?
• What are the challenges/issues in having a CLM?
• CLMs should disengage from major leadership roles
• What support does a CLM candidate need from the congregation?
• Should the CLM be a public representative of the congregation?

If the congregational leadership decides to support the CLM program and this aspirant, then the program must be presented to the congregation. Congregational support is essential to continue.

• Decide on an education process such as articles in the newsletter, announcements, social media, town hall meetings.
• Decide if the board needs congregational approval to continue.

Once approval is obtained from the leadership and congregation:

• The board and aspirant name the Covenant Partner who will work with the aspirant to complete the application. The Covenant Partner is normally the congregation’s minister, but in lay led congregations, a congregational leader needs to fulfill this role of advisor and supporter of the candidate.
• The aspirant should discern and decide on area(s) of focus, what is the best fit of the congregation's needs and the aspirant's strengths and interests?
• The aspirant needs to meet with their Board to discuss expectations and create a letter of agreement. Sample agreements are available from the council.
• The aspirant and the covenant partner should write a covenant.
• CLM Candidats should disengage from major leadership roles.

The next step is the application process. Once all the materials are received, the CLM Council will schedule an interview with the aspirant.