Churches across the Diocese of Sheffield are being encouraged to explore commissioning lay ministers, continuing a long history of dedicated lay ministers serving here.
It’s as Christ Church Hackenthorpe has become the second church in the Diocese, after All Saints Totley, to commission lay ministers. Revd Claire Welch, Priest in Charge at Hackenthorpe, commissioned nine lay ministers on Sunday 16th March.
Lay ministers were originally trained through the School of Ministry at the Wilson Carlile Centre in Sheffield, but following a Lay Ministry Review in 2021 this was changed to allow training of some lay ministers within an individual’s own local context. The idea of three strands developed and is used today:
- Licensed Lay Ministers – readers, lay workers, Church Army evangelists
- Authorised Lay Ministers – focal ministers, children, youth and family workers, parish evangelists
- Commissioned Lay Ministers – all ministries on a parish level, for which a licence or authorisation is neither required nor customary
A good practice guide is available on the Diocesan website for people considering lay ministry, and it is the Commissioned Lay Ministers where there is a particular focus at the moment for churches to explore.
Revd Toby Hole, Director of Mission and Ministry, said:
“We want to recognise the work people are doing in parishes as a presence out there in the community. We are completely hands off in terms of the process and don’t need to keep an eye on how things are going; it’s entirely run by the parish.
“All we do is suggest resources to help and training where we can be helpful. Part of this is to affirm those who have been serving for a long time who perhaps have never really thought this is something the church can affirm them in. Some of these commissions are simply a way of recognising the work someone has been doing, and for others it may be a case of just sensing God’s calling.
“You can be commissioned by your Oversight Minister to serve according to your own gifts and calling as well as what suits the needs of your parish, and what suits a parish in the context that you will serve in. We want to help explore what God’s calling you to do where you are.”
Revd Claire Welch, Priest in Charge of Christ Church Hackenthorpe, said:
“It has been really encouraging to see people recognise the gifts that God has given to them and it has been a joy to support them to step out to serve Him in this way. Our Pastoral Care Assistants have been trained locally, given clear guidelines to follow, and are supported through regular supervision. I really appreciate having a team of lay workers to serve alongside, to ensure that the pastoral care needs within our parish are provided for. It is early days, but we are hopeful that this team will help our church to continue to develop our welcome, inclusion and care for others as we demonstrate Jesus’ love.” If you are interested in exploring lay ministry or commissioning lay ministers, contact Toby: Toby.Hole@sheffield.anglican.org