This Volunteers Week we want to say a big thank you to all lay leaders across the diocese.
Lay leaders fulfil all kinds of important roles in their churches across the diocese, through a variety of pathways.
Licensed Lay Ministers (formerly known as Readers) are focussed on three areas of ministry: teaching the faith, enabling mission; and being leaders in the church and wider society.
Licensed Lay Ministers work collaboratively with their clergy in leading their parish church, often taking responsibility for lay discipleship courses, outreach and more.
Licensed Lay Ministers can come from any walk of life.
Lay Worship Leaders are members of the congregation who are called to plan and lead worship.
This does not exclusively mean leading music in services; people in this role might be involved in planning services, leading fresh expressions of church or being involved in intercession during services.
Pastoral workers are a valuable part of a church community, offering support and comfort to all members of the church and particularly those who are most vulnerable.
Such an important ministry relies on strong listening skills, and the work of a pastoral team needs to be managed carefully by someone with a good understanding of issues that many people face.
Occasional preachers are those who are unable to commit to becoming Licensed Lay Ministers but still feel called to a preaching ministry on an occasional basis.
These people are trained in different aspects of preaching and teaching, as well as the practical elements of delivering homilies.
Eco Mission Enablers have completed the Saving Creation Gold course, and have gained an intersectional understanding of the ecological crisis as well as an in-depth understanding of the nature of mission, before learning about eco-evangelism, pastoral care, and prophetic activism, incorporating creation and social justice in worship.
They work to equip and support others in discipleship and advocacy, and lead projects with an environmental focus at parish, deanery or diocesan levels.
The Revd Helen Collings, Diocesan Lay Training Team Leader, said: “In churches and communities across the diocese, authorised lay leaders – Lay Worship Leaders, Lay Pastoral Ministers, Occasional Preachers and Eco Mission Enablers – and Licensed Lay Ministers, work alongside parish clergy to enable and encourage community and discipleship for all.
“Their work is as varied as they are.
“We want to say a huge thank you!”
To find out more about lay leadership opportunities in our diocese, please click here.