As Lights for Christ in the world we believe that all God’s people have a call to service whether that is in their church, their workplace, their school or home.
Sometimes this service may take the form of a recognised ministry acknowledged by ordination or licensing. More often acts of ministry will be more informal but no less valuable. They may go relatively unnoticed but are vital in the growth of God’s Kingdom amongst us.
In Sheffield Diocese we affirm all kinds of lay ministries. As a result of our recent Lay Ministry Review, we have identified three kinds of lay ministry authorisation which we have displayed visually in the form of a lay ministry triangle.
Nationally Licensed lay ministries are ministries which receive the Bishop’s licence. They include Readers and Church Army evangelists. The licences are portable across the Church of England and involves training that involves academic work and practical experience over two to three years. Training takes place through our partner organisations St Hild theological college and Church Army.
Authorised (by the Diocese) lay ministries are ministries that are authorised by the bishop (but not necessarily licensed) at our annual Celebration of Lay Ministries. They include parish evangelists, spiritual accompaniers and Children, Youth and Family’s Workers. They are trained by members of the diocesan Resourcing Mission and Ministry team and are authorised to minister at mission area level and across the diocese.
Locally Commissioned lay ministries are those many ministries that take place across our diocese. These are ministries for which it may not always be appropriate to undergo extensive training or diocesan authorisation. Commissioned Lay Ministers are trained locally by the Oversight Minister or ministry team, perhaps using diocesan online resources – and are commissioned for ministry in a local service.
The different forms of lay ministry in our Diocese
How to train as a reader in the diocese of Sheffield, resources and events available to readers in the diocese
If your calling is to be an evangelist, authorised by the Anglican Church, then you should explore your calling to be a Commissioned Church Army Evangelist
