We are all called by God to be Lights for Christ. There are numerous different ways to serve in this calling; you may be doing this already or you may want to explore something new. In the Diocese of Sheffield we affirm all kinds of lay ministries: those locally commissioned in your home church, those authorised across the Diocese and those nationally licensed.
Lay Roles in the Diocese
Lay ministry falls broadly into three categories: Commission, Authorised and Licensed.
The links below take you to information about different ministries and equipping you to serve in them.
- Focal Minister
- Reader
- Youth and Children’s Worker/Minister
- Lay Parish Evangelist
- Pastoral Support Worker
- Chaplain
- Worship Leader
- Spiritual Accompanier
Vocational Courses
Foundations Course
Foundations is a one-year course delivered over 60 hours online and in person. It is suitable for anyone exploring their sense of calling and may lead on to a variety of ministries. As well as exploring key themes such as Scripture, Mission, and Christian faith and history participants will have the opportunity of working with the vocations team to talk through areas of ministry to which God may be calling them.
Find out more about learning with the Diocese
Spiritual Accompaniment
Courses in Deepening Spirituality/Spiritual Accompaniment
The Diocese is committed to providing opportunities for people to spend a more extended period of time focussing more deeply on who they are called to be, discovering and maybe rediscovering their gifts.
Spiritual Growth and Transformation (SG&T) and The Art of Spiritual Accompaniment
Over the course of six months participants are given a safe and sacred space in which to explore, reflect and share their own experience of their relationship with God, and themes such as images of God, images of self, the spiritual journey and personal call are explored. This course forms the first stage of the Art of Spiritual Accompaniment training as well as being a stand-alone experience. Find out more
St Hild College
Much of this further theological study may take place with St Hild – a theological college with centres at Mirfield, Sheffield and online.