Lay Leader Guidelines and Licenses

Information

A Catechist is a lay person who is authorized to prepare persons for Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, and the Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows, under the direction of the Member of the Clergy who oversees the congregation or other community of faith.

Qualifications 

• Confirmed Episcopal communicant in good standing
• Faithful in worship and in stewardship
• Mature in faith
• Of good repute in the congregation
• Demonstrated gifts of teaching and discernment

Training 

Completion of a course of training and study, under the supervision of the rector or other priest, to include a study of:

• The teachings of the church as found in the Creeds
• The teachings of the church as found in An Outline of the Faith, commonly called the Catechism
• The Holy Scriptures
• Church History, Christian Ethics, and Moral Theology
• The Canons of The Episcopal Church
• Methods of teaching
• Safe Church Training
• Clergy requesting licenses should ensure that those licensed in the congregation represent the diversity of the Church, and include women, men, young people (16 years or older), and older persons, as well as persons of different racial and ethnic backgrounds.
• Licensed lay ministers who are functioning liturgically may vest in either alb and cincture or surplice and cassock, according to parish custom.
• Licenses are issued for three years.
• Those who are in a formal formation program for the priesthood or vocational diaconate in the Diocese of Virginia are deemed to be licensed under these guidelines.
• Before a license may be granted, the applicant must complete Safe Church Training.

Application

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Information

A Eucharistic Minister is a lay person authorized to administer the consecrated elements at a celebration of Holy Eucharist when an adequate number of clergy is not present. A Eucharistic Minister acts under the direction of a Deacon, or under the member of the clergy who oversees the congregation or community of faith.

Qualifications 

• Confirmed communicant in good standing
• Faithful in worship and in stewardship
• Mature in faith
• Of good repute in the congregation

Training 

Completion of a course of training and study, under the supervision of the deacon or rector or other priest, to include a study of:

• The various theological understandings of the Holy Eucharist in the Anglican tradition
• Methods and practice of the administration of the elements (use of the purificator, rotation of the chalice, use of intinction, consumption of remaining elements)

General information for clergy seeking Eucharistic Minister licenses for lay people in their congregations

• Clergy requesting licenses should ensure that those licensed in the congregation represent the diversity of the Church, and include women, men, young people (16 years or older), and older persons, as well as persons of different racial and ethnic backgrounds.
• Licensed lay ministers who are functioning liturgically may vest in either alb and cincture or surplice and cassock, according to parish custom.
• Licenses are issued for three years.
• Those who are in a formal formation program for the priesthood or vocational diaconate in the Diocese of Virginia are deemed to be licensed under these guidelines.
• Before a license may be granted, the applicant must complete Safe Church Training.

Application

Apply

Information

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.

Qualifications 

• Confirmed communicant in good standing
• Faithful in worship and in stewardship
• Mature in faith
• Of good repute in the congregation

Training

Completion of a course of training and study, under the supervision of the deacon or the rector or other priest, to include a study of:

• The various theological understandings of the Holy Eucharist in the Anglican tradition
• Methods and practice of the administration of the elements (use of the purificator, rotation of the chalice, use of intinction, consumption of remaining elements)
• Use of the Book of Common Prayer and approved rites for visitation
• Biblical studies sufficient to enable the Eucharistic Minister to comment wisely on the readings for the day
• The basics of pastoral visiting
• Training in the Prevention of Elder Abuse
• Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training

Information for clergy seeking Eucharist Visitor licenses for lay people in their congregations

• Clergy requesting licenses should ensure that those licensed in the congregation represent the diversity of the Church, and include women, men, young people (16 years or older), and older persons, as well as persons of different racial and ethnic backgrounds.
• Licensed lay ministers who are functioning liturgically may vest in either alb and cincture or surplice and cassock, according to parish custom. Persons who read lessons and lead prayers need not vest.
• Licenses are issued for three years.
• Those who are in a formal formation program for the priesthood or vocational diaconate in the Diocese of Virginia are deemed to be licensed under these guidelines.
• Before a license may be granted, the applicant must complete Safe Church Training.

Application

Apply

Information

A Preacher is a lay person authorized to preach the Gospel using his or her own words. Persons so authorized shall only preach in the congregation(s) or community of faith overseen by the sponsoring member of the clergy.

Qualifications 

• Confirmed communicant in good standing
• Faithful in worship and in stewardship
• Mature in faith
• Of good repute in the congregation
• Reliability and punctuality
• Ability to think, teach, proclaim, and speak clearly

Training 

Completion of a course of study under the supervision of the rector, another priest, or a qualified institution, including:

• The Holy Scriptures
• Exegesis and forms of Biblical criticism
• Use of commentaries and other resources for sermon preparation
• Church History, Christian Ethics, and Moral Theology
• The Church’s Doctrine in the Creeds and Catechism
• The Canons of The Episcopal Church
• Authorized Bible translations for public worship
• Use of the voice

The clergy requesting the license will provide the bishop with a letter outlining the training completed, the candidate’s qualifications, A manuscript of a sermon prepared by the candidate and how the candidate will exercise a preaching ministry in the congregation. Supporting documentation (e.g., EFM, seminary courses, certificates) must be attached.

General information for clergy seeking licenses for lay people in their congregations

• Clergy requesting licenses should ensure that those licensed in the congregation represent the diversity of the Church, and include women, men, young people (16 years or older), and older persons, as well as persons of different racial and ethnic backgrounds.
• Licensed lay ministers who are functioning liturgically may vest in either alb and cincture or surplice and cassock, according to parish custom.
• Licenses are issued for three years.
• Those who are in a formal formation programs for the priesthood or vocational diaconate in the Diocese of Virginia are deemed to be licensed under these guidelines.
• Before a license may be granted, the applicant must complete Safe Church Training.

Application

Apply

Information

A Worship Leader is a person who regularly leads public worship under the direction of a member of the clergy who oversees the congregation or other community of faith (e.g., nursing home, hospital, prison, etc.).

Qualifications

• Confirmed communicant in good standing
• Faithful in worship and in stewardship
• Mature in faith
• Of good repute in the congregation
• Able to lead public worship, demonstrated through service as a lector for at least six months
• Reliability and punctuality
• Ability to speak clearly

Training

• Completion of a course of training and study, under the supervision of the rector or other priest, to include a study of:
• The translations of the Bible authorized by the Church as the source for readings in public worship
• The Book of Common Prayer, with special emphasis on the lectionary and the rubrics governing lay ministries in the liturgy
• The Hymnal
• The Doctrine and Discipline of the Church
• The conduct of public worship
• Use of the voice
• Safe Church Training

General information for clergy seeking Worship Leader licenses for lay people in their congregations

• Clergy requesting licenses should ensure that those licensed in the congregation represent the diversity of the Church, and include women, men, young people (16 years or older), and older persons, as well as persons of different racial and ethnic backgrounds.
• Licensed lay ministers who are functioning liturgically may vest in either alb and cincture or surplice and cassock, according to parish custom.
• Licenses are issued for three years.
• Those who are in a formal formation program for the priesthood or vocational diaconate in the Diocese of Virginia are deemed to be licensed under these guidelines.
• Before a license may be granted, the applicant must complete Safe Church Training.
• The application must be accompanied by a brief letter from the applicant and the clergy sponsor that includes the description of the ministry that the Worship Leader would undertake – where, when, with whom, and why.

Application

Apply