What is "lay elder"

Lay \Lay\, a. [F. lai, L. laicus, Gr. ? of or from the people, lay, from ?, ?, people. Cf. Laic.]

1. Of or pertaining to the laity, as distinct from the clergy; as, a lay person; a lay preacher; a lay brother.

2. Not educated or cultivated; ignorant. [Obs.]

3. Not belonging to, or emanating from, a particular profession; unprofessional; as, a lay opinion regarding the nature of a disease.

   Lay baptism (Eccl.), baptism administered by a lay person.
   --F. G. Lee.

   Lay brother (R. C. Ch.), one received into a convent of monks under the three vows, but not in holy orders.

   Lay clerk (Eccl.), a layman who leads the responses of the congregation, etc., in the church service.
   --Hook.

   Lay days (Com.), time allowed in a charter party for taking in and discharging cargo.
   --McElrath.

   Lay elder. See 2d Elder, 3, note.