There is little doubt that the landscape of ministry in the church is changing quickly and dramatically. We have all heard the reports of declining numbers and shrinking resources, of closing buildings and disestablished parishes. There is a growing shift toward half-time, bi-vocational, and non-stipendiary ministry for clergy. It’s enough to make us despair about the future of the church.
But what if we see this challenge as an opportunity, even a holy moment, where God is calling us to a new way of being church? Perhaps this is the time to broaden our understanding of ministry and those who are called to be ministers. Perhaps this is a time to share the work of ministry with more of the baptized rather than just those who are ordained. This may just be the time to recapture models of ministry that better reflect the New Testament understanding, one articulated by Saint Paul: “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).
Lay ministry is essential for the church today and into the future. Licensed Lay Ministry, those licensed by their bishop for ministry at the parish level, is an important formalization of the ministry of all the baptized in the church and the community. This formalization calls for training and equipping of those gifts of the Holy Spirit, so that Licensed Lay Ministers can minister knowledgeably, and in the full breadth and practice of the Anglican Tradition.
With all of this in mind, Queen’s is pleased to have developed a new Lay Ministry training program. This new program is a partnership between Queen’s College and the three Newfoundland and Labrador Dioceses that provides training for those called to Licensed Lay Ministry. It uses an online platform and allows students to work at their own pace. While the program is self-directed, it also encourages supportive learning through peer, parish, or clergy support so students do not feel they are learning in isolation. The program consists of six core modules that focus on Baptism, Eucharist, Bible, Prayer, Anglicanism, and Truth and Reconciliation. Additional modules will focus on practical skills like worship planning, pastoral visitation, Eucharistic ministry, and other lay ministries. The program is designed to be user-friendly and adaptable, and to equip students for lay ministry and service in Christ’s church in the world today.
At present, this course is designed for current Licensed Lay Ministers or Eucharistic Assistants or those laity who might be interested in this ministry or wishing to explore more about their calling. As the course expands, we plan to provide education for other lay ministries, such as pastoral lay visitors, Sunday School and Confirmation teachers, Vestry members, Wardens, Treasurers, and others.
If you are interested in this program, please speak directly with your Parish Clergy or visit your diocesan website. Only those candidates recommended to the Bishop by their Clergy are eligible for enrollment in this program. You do not apply through Queen’s College.
There are currently over forty students registered in this program. This is something about which to be excited and hopeful. This is a direction that has the potential to transform ministry in the Anglican church in Newfoundland and Labrador.