Discern a Call to Lay Ministry
By virtue of our baptism, we are all Christian ministers. The Holy Spirit authorizes and empowers every baptized person to carry on various ministries for the good of and on behalf of the congregation. For some Christians, this means being called to ordained ministry. For most of us, this means we become actively involved in lay ministry or ministries.
A Licensed Lay Minister...
- Is faithful in praying, working, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God
- Is a baptized and confirmed communicant in good standing
- Has been faithful in corporate worship for the past year
- Is part of the worshipping community at a parish and is known to the clergy and vestry
- Has completed formation and continuing education required for this ministry
- Understands that the guidelines for the selection, training, continuing education, and deployment of ministry are established by the Bishop in consultation with the Commission on Ministry
- Completes all required Safe Church training and background check(s)
Parish Trained Lay Ministries
The diocese encourages all parishes to establish a routine for identifying, discerning, training, continuing education, and supporting licensed lay ministry for their congregation. Annual revision of a roster of such licenses should be provided for diocesan records, and their license will be affirmed with a certificate signed by the Bishop. Regional training to supplement parish training will be offered by diocesan staff from time to time. Please note that there is no license or certificate for a Lay Reader or Lector.
Eucharistic Minister
As defined by Canons: A Eucharistic Minister is a lay person authorized to administer the Consecrated Elements at a Celebration of Holy Eucharist. A Eucharistic Minister should normally act under the direction of a Deacon, if any, or otherwise, the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.
Knowledge Base
- A clear understanding of the Episcopal approach to the sacrament of Holy Eucharist
- Familiarity of the role of the Eucharistic minister in the liturgy and how it differs from the role of the clergy
- Familiarity with the Eucharistic liturgy, including the words and mechanics of the service, and the variety of rites and prayer options
- Familiarity with methods of intinction
Competencies
- Administer the consecrated elements appropriately and methods of Intinction
- Demonstrates an awareness and sensitivity to people with special needs, such as elderly, those with disabilities, and children
- Deal with unexpected occurrences related to administering the sacraments
Formation
Eucharistic minister training occurs at the parish level under the direction of a member of the clergy exercising oversight of the congregation.
Duration of License
A Eucharistic Minister will be licensed for up to 3 years at a time. Before or immediately after 3 years have passed, the licensed lay Eucharistic Minister should receive some refreshing of their training and assessment of their good standing. At this time, a member of the clergy with oversight and responsibility for this ministry can recommend that their license be renewed or that they pursue other ministries within the church and give room for others to practice this ministry.
Eucharistic Visitor
As defined by Canons: A Eucharistic Visitor is a lay person authorized to take the Consecrated Elements in a timely manner following a Celebration of Holy Eucharist to members of the congregation who, by reason of illness or infirmity, were unable to be present at the Celebration. A Eucharistic Visitor should normally act under the direction of a Deacon, if any, or otherwise, the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.
Knowledge Base
- General familiarity with the Book of Common Prayer
- Basic knowledge of sacramental theology and a clear understanding of the Episcopal approach to the sacrament of Holy Eucharist
- An understanding of when and how to report pastoral needs
Competencies
- Demonstrates basic pastoral care skills such as respecting confidentiality and active listening
- Administer the consecrated elements in various settings
- Practical aspects of transporting the consecrated elements and the disposition of and/or return of any remaining to the church
- Ability to paraphrase sermons
- Communicate and inform parish clergy of issues that may be of concern
Formation
Eucharistic Visitor training occurs at the parish level under the direction of a member of the clergy exercising oversight of the congregation.
Duration of License & Renewal
A Eucharistic Visitor will be licensed for up to 1 year at a time. Before or immediately after 1 year has passed, the licensed lay Eucharistic Visitor should receive some refreshing of their training and assessment of their good standing. At this time, a member of the clergy with oversight and responsibility for this ministry can recommend that their license be renewed or that they pursue other ministries within the church and give room for others to practice this ministry.
Worship Leader
As defined by Canons:A Worship Leader is a lay person who regularly leads public worship under the direction of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.
Knowledge Base
- History of the Daily Office
- Canons and rubrics regarding lay leadership of worship
- Liturgy- an understanding of the role of worship leader
- The Daily Office (morning, noonday, evening, compline, daily devotions)
- Revised Common Lectionary
- Lesser Feasts & Fasts
- Enriching Our Worship 1
- Online resources
- Authorized hymnals
Competencies
- Leading Daily Office in the absence of a priest
- Demonstrated use of voice in leading public worship
Formation
Training should also include:
- A period of mentored-officiating
- Instruction on how to access and use essential online resources (ex. bcponline.org, lectionarypage.net, dailylectio.net)
In addition to encouragement of parishes to provide this training, we also lift up Bexley-Seabury’s Pathways for Baptismal Living course, Worship Leader Course.
Duration of License & Renewal
A Worship Leader will be licensed for up to 3 years at a time. Before or immediately after 3 years have passed, the licensed lay Worship Leader should receive some refreshing of their training and assessment of their good standing. At this time, a member of the clergy with oversight and responsibility for this ministry can recommend that their license be renewed or that they pursue other ministries within the church and give room for others to practice this ministry.
Diocesan Trained Lay Ministries
The diocese will provide training for individuals identified by their parish, and endorsed by their Rector and Vestry, for licensed lay ministry for their congregation, and potential invitation by the diocese for sharing their ministry with other congregations.
Preacher
As defined by Canons: A Preacher is a lay person authorized to preach. Persons so authorized shall only preach in congregations under the direction of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.
Knowledge Base
- Contents and background of Holy Scripture
- Book of Common Prayer and The Hymnal
- Church history
- Christian ethics and moral theology
- Episcopal liturgical practice
- The church’s doctrine as set forth in the creeds and An Outline of the Faith
Competencies
- Use methods of exegesis in sermon preparation
- Demonstrated use of the voice in conveying the message of a sermon
- Preaching in context of liturgical experience
- Preaching to feedback
- Preaching (preparing the preacher, preparing to preach, framing and constructing a sermon)
- Understanding of diverse contexts
Formation
The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee partners with the Episcopal Preaching Foundation (EPF) to provide training using curriculum and mentor training from the EPF Lay Preacher Training Initiative.
Duration of License & Renewal
A licensed lay Preacher will be licensed for up to 1 year at a time. Before or immediately after 1 year has passed, the licensed lay Preacher should have had opportunities to practice their ministry; received review of manuscripts prior to preaching; continued to develop their skill and spirituality; and should receive an assessment of their good standing.
At this time, a member of the clergy with oversight and responsibility for this ministry can recommend that their license be renewed or that they pursue other ministries within the church and give room for others to practice this ministry.
Catechist
As defined by Canons: A Catechist is a lay person authorized to prepare persons for Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, and the Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows, and shall function under the direction of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.
Knowledge Base
- Contents and background of the Holy Scriptures
- Contents and history of the Book of Common Prayer (especially the Catechism)
- Church history (development of the early church, Anglican/Episcopal church history, general development of Christian theology and doctrine)
- Church doctrine as set forth in the creeds and “An Outline of the Faith,” commonly called the catechism, with particular reference to baptism and communion
- A general knowledge of the canons, polity, structure, and decision-making processes in the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion
- Major methods of catechesis
Competencies
- Plan Catechesis programming for different age spans
- Develop and lead formational offerings geared specifically for baptism and confirmation preparation
Formation
The Diocese of East Tennessee recognizes Bexley-Seabury’s Pathways for Baptismal Living Faith Formation for Leaders Training as the source for forming licensed lay catechists.
Duration of License & Renewal
A licensed lay Catechist will be licensed for up to 3 years at a time. Before or immediately after 3 years has passed, the licensed lay Catechist should have had opportunities to practice their ministry; received review of curriculums prior to teaching; continued to develop their skill and spirituality; and should receive an assessment of their good standing.
At this time, a member of the clergy with oversight and responsibility for this ministry can recommend that their license be renewed or that they pursue other ministries within the church and give room for others to practice this ministry.
Evangelist
As defined by canons: A licensed Evangelist is a lay person who presents the good news of Jesus Christ in such a way that people are led to receive Christ as Savior and follow Christ as Lord in the fellowship of the Church. An Evangelist assists with the community’s ministry of evangelism in partnership within the Presbyter or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation, or as directed by the Bishop.
Knowledge Base
- Understand why evangelism matters in the Church today
- Recognize that evangelism is about lived witness in the world
- Understand the interior formation required for evangelical witness, including the development of one’s own faith narrative and contemplative practice
- Identify your particular calling as an evangelist in your own context- how you will seek, name, and celebrate the Good News where God has placed you
Competencies
- Articulate how personal faith experience and God’s redemptive story intersect, and develop skill in communicating this witness to others
- Demonstrate confidence inviting others into faith conversations
- Demonstrate the ability to talk about your own faith journey with authenticity
- Reflect on how will you become part of the Good News in your community and invite others into God’s work
- Confer with clergy and work with other parishioners to share the Good News of Christ
Formation
The Diocese of East Tennessee recognizes Bexley-Seabury’s Pathways for Baptismal Living for their online course for licensed lay Evangelist.
Duration of License & Renewal
A licensed lay Evangelist will be licensed for up to 3 years at a time. Before 3 years have passed or immediately after, the licensed lay Evangelist should have had opportunities to practice their ministry; received feedback of evangelistic programming; continued to develop their skill and spirituality; and should receive an assessment of their good standing.
At this time, a member of the clergy with oversight and responsibility for this ministry can recommend that their license be renewed or that they pursue other ministries within the church and give room for others to practice this ministry.
Diocesan Trained Pastoral Care Certification
We are very eager to walk with those called to pastoral care as they explore how their gifts can flourish. The Pastoral Care Certificate program will extend from the Eucharistic Visitor licensure- this licensure is a requirement prior to moving forward with certification.We are partnering with Bexley-Seabury to create an online course that will provide a survey of different types and best practices for pastoral care. Since lay pastoral care ministry can look very different in different parishes, each parish is invited to discern what type of lay pastoral care they are called to offer.
Lay Ministry Discernment Process
Below you will find the steps to take to engage the lay ministry discernment process.
Step 1: Initiating the Process of Becoming a Licensed Lay Minister
If you are discerning a call to ministry, you should contact your Rector or priest-in-charge. The Rector or priest-in-charge should then contact the diocesan Canon for Formation and Lay Ministry, Emily Bruner.
Step 2: Applying for a Lay Ministry Discernment Cohort
Once you have held an initial conversation with your sponsoring clergy, you may complete the cohort application below.
Step 3: Licensed Lay Ministry Mutual Application Set
These three forms are to be used after the discernment cohort has completed its work. Each party can use the forms below to complete their portion of the mutual application. If you encounter trouble issuing multiple forms, please close the browser window and reload the webpage.
Discerner Portion
Supervising Clergy Portion
Vestry Portion
Licensed Lay Ministry Renewals & Initial Parish-Trained License Submissions
This form can be used to renew diocesan and parish trained licenses for lay ministers or to apply for the first license for a parish-trained lay minister (Eucharistic Visitor, Eucharistic Minister, and Worship Leader). If you are being initially trained for Preacher, Catechist, or Evangelist, your initial license will be generated by the diocese. Clergy may see a roster of all active and inactive licensed lay ministers in the clergy resource portal on the DioET Circle.
If you need to complete more than five entries, please submit the form and refresh the page to submit more entries.