Online Lay Ministry Program

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Lay Ministry Training Program

Introduction

Over the past Decade, our Diocese has bravely engaged and adapted to the many cultural and demographic realities of our time. 

Our Diocesan Synods, deanery engagements, and the development of new approaches to ministry have enabled us to make some tough choices that give us a sense of hope and purpose for the future. We are honest that many of the changes in our Church have been beyond our control. Our duty was to respond to them. Our processes were about choosing to be realistic in the face of challenges, while never losing the balance between sustainability and mission. 

In fact, the ideas of mission and of reclaiming the reason we are a Church have risen in priority as we turn to the Holy Spirit for guidance. That is what gives us meaning.

One thing we MUST also remember is that the work we have done in relation to our “Lean Canvas” approach and sharing ministries was never intended to be a permanent solution, but to give us time and a platform to consider and act toward building the Church for the next generation.

We have come to realize that the mandate in Ephesians chapter 4 must be revisited. 

That mandate is straightforward and well summarized in verses 11 – 13:

  So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 1until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

We have also come to realize that the mandate of Ephesians chapter 4 in our time means we must renew our training programs for every aspect of Lay Ministry. 

Lay ministry today is very different from the past, when expectations and duties were within well-established cultural and Ecclesiastical boundaries. Now, as the Spirit moves within every aspect of culture, we need to recognize, enable, and commission diverse lay ministries. Helping lay people recognize a vocation, training them, and providing and continuing care and education are daunting tasks. We need to develop a solid model for calling, discerning, mentoring, training, and commissioning lay people in every context. This model must include everyone and not be left to one appointed individual who provides reading material and makes a vague recommendation to the bishop.

The challenge we must meet today is diverse, but not complicated. It’s a call for clergy to lead in building cooperation and mutual support among congregational, parish, and diocesan ministries. We can do this.

Let’s go where we need to go…
Both the clergy and the laity know we must change the common idea that ministry belongs to the clergy and that the laity are either passive or entitled recipients of the clergy’s services. We live in a time when people either don’t care what the clergy are saying and doing or are actively critical of pretty much everything they do.

Both must recognize that clergy and laypeople are called to work together for the ministries of God, which are diverse yet equally important. Throughout the diocese, deanery, parish, and congregational boundaries must not prevent or excuse us from caring for one another and sharing expertise and resources.

Lay Ministry Training

Includes

Call,discernment,mentoring,training equipping. commissioning

Continuing Education.

Identifing the needs of the parish/congregation and how they are similar or different.

Ie Eucharistic Ministry, preaching, visitation.

Academic training (study)

Liturgical training

Liturgical Practicum

What resources do we have?

Online Training 

Queen’s College

Diocesan Documents

Texts (framwork)

To Love and to Serve

Servers and Services 

Patricia Bays

Diocesan Documents

Bishop’s Charge with Study Guides

Lean Canvas Document

Videos : Vocation, bible Study, Homiletics, etc

What are our Expectations?

Clergy involvement

What Changes to Lay Ministers Association?

The Diocese of Central Newfoundland Lay Minister Training Program

In the fall of 2026, we will begin a multi-layered study program for our Lay Persons. 

Step one will be for us to meet online each week.

Sessions start on Thursday October 1

The program will have all the study and learning components needed for those training for Licensed Lay Ministry and Licensed Eucharistic Ministry. 

People in training for these ministries will also have mentoring and practical liturgical training from the clergy in these parishes.

All of the resources will be an excellent place for all laity who want to deepen or refresh their understanding of the Church.

On the study program page of our website, you will have access to all sorts of Diocesan and Queen’s College resources and videos.

To participate, you need to register here

Our Course Email:
dioceseofcentralnewfoundland@gmail.com

Welcome to our Lay Training Community!
Whether you are just beginning to train for lay ministry as a Lay Reader, Eucharistic Minister, or Pastoral Visitor, or are looking to learn more about the Church as a refresher or “beginner,” you are in the right place.

While this process is new, the foundations remain the same.

People have many different reasons for wanting to learn more and for searching out answers to their questions about ministry.

Often the process has different steps (first steps not always in order!)

· You may feel something in your own heart and mind that resembles a calling…or a challenge.

· Other people in your environment (including your clergy) may have spoken to you about this.

· You then develop a relationship with your clergy, who helps and provides three things for you along the way:

· Mentoring and Guidance

· Connecting you with the ministries of your parish 

· Connecting you with the study groups and fellowships of your parish

· Connecting you to training resources.

· If you are headed toward any Lay ministry after training, ensuring you are commissioned in the midst of the people.

· In all aspects of parish ministry, your rector is responsible for your training, and your license from the Bishop is under their authority.
 

What we are doing is providing resources for our people and clergy to use, connect with each other in our diocese, and grow together as a family of faith.

· Remember….You can work through this at your own pace! It’s up to your parish fellowship!

Resources

• The main resource for you as you learn and train is the ongoing life of your parish community.

• Your Clergy will guide you and connect you with study groups and fellowship in your community.

• We will be using the book To Love & Serve: Anglican Beliefs and Practices.

• This book will be essential for our work together.

• Each of our Clergy has a copy. You can obtain one through them or at the Synod Office (30.00).

• There are other recommended resources, and a list will be provided for you.

• Clergy Mentors are the clergy in your own parish.

• Diocesan Clergy Mentors. A number of our clergy will be leading study modules for the whole diocese. They will be accessible to you and will join us online.

• Online meetings. Weekly meetings will be held via Zoom for us to gather together, share our stories, and ask our questions. These meetings will be a way

• Queen’s College. Our Diocese has partnered with Queen’s College. The College has produced modules consisting of videos and study questions to aid you on your journey. These will be the focus of our weekly meetings. You can send your reflections to your parish Clergy and share them with the groups in your own parish setting.

The Modules

This list uses the resources in the program offered through the diocese's partnership with Queen’s College.

How to use these?

As you read the book To Love & Serve: Anglican Beliefs and Practices, there is a corresponding video produced by Queen’s College that you can watch on YouTube.

As well, we have some direction and printed study questions for you to work on individually or as a group. These will be sent to you by email,and will be linked on our Diocese Website .

This we might call the “academic side” the practical side of ministry and hands on mentoring and training comes from within your community of faith.

Module 1: Baptism, Discipleship, and Calling

Reading

For this module, read chapters 2 and 3 of To Love & Serve: Anglican Beliefs and Practices 

The Video is here

Please watch this video with your cohort, clergy mentor, or lay companions, although you may also want to view the video on your own as well. Once you have completed the video please look at the discussion questions along with your clergy, and parish/congregation group.

This video features Rev. Robert Cooke, Lecturer and Director of Outreach Programs at Queen's College Faculty of Theology.

Discussion Questions

After reading the assigned chapters for this module and viewing the assigned video, with your cohort (group), clergy mentor, or lay companions, discuss the following questions. This conversation should ideally be 1-1.5 hours to allow for fulsome conversation. 

· What resonated with you or connects with your own faith journey or ministry discernment? 

· Is there anything that you're struggling with or don't quite understand? 

· What in the video or module readings do you feel require further learning on your part? 

· The BAS mentions four aspects of baptism: (1) being made one with Christ in his death and resurrection, (2) being cleansed and delivered from all sin, (3) being brought to new life in the family of God's church, (4) being made part of a new creation and new humanity. Which of these speaks most clearly to your own sense of lay ministry and why? 

A suggestion for you along the way.
Why not keep a journal of your thoughts? After completing the assigned readings, viewing the module video, and discussion with cohort, clergy mentor, or lay companions, here is a suggested journal assignment. Journal entries don’t need to be too long, 750-1000 words. 

Module 2 – The Bible 

Reading

For this Module students read chapter14 of To Love & Serve: Anglican Beliefs and Practices 

Here is the Video 

Please watch this video with your cohort, clergy mentor, or lay companions, although you may also want to view the video on your own as well. Once you have completed the video please look at the discussion questions along with your clergy, and parish/congregation group.

This video features Rev. Dr. Joanne Mercer, Provost of Queen's College Faculty of Theology. 

Discussion Questions 

After reading the assigned chapters for this module and viewing the assigned video, with your cohort, clergy mentor, or lay companions discuss the following questions. This conversation should ideally be 1-1.5 hours to allow for fulsome conversation. 

· What resonated with you or connects with your own faith journey or ministry discernment? 

· Is there anything that you're struggling with or don't quite understand? 

· What in the video or module readings do you feel requires further learning on your part?

Journal suggestion

Do you still have questions about scripture and how we read? What are the questions you still struggle with? How do you plan to find answers to those questions? How might those questions impact your ministry as a Licensed Lay Minister?

Module 3 – The Eucharist

Reading

For this Module students must read chapters 4 and 5 of To Love & Serve: Anglican Beliefs and Practices 

The Video

Please watch this video with your cohort, clergy mentor, or lay companions, although you may also want to view the video on your own as well. Once you have completed the video please look at the discussion questions along with your clergy, and parish/congregation group.

The video features Rev. Dr. Robert Cooke, Dean of Theology at Queen's College Faculty of Theology.

Discussion Questions

After reading the assigned chapters for this module and viewing the assigned video, with your cohort, clergy mentor, or lay companions discuss the following questions. This conversation should ideally be 1-1.5 hours to allow for fulsome conversation. 

· What resonated with you or connects with your own faith journey or ministry discernment? 

· Is there anything that you're struggling with or don't quite understand? 

· What in the video or module readings do you feel requires further learning on your part?

Journal Suggestion
What is your favourite moment is the eucharistic liturgy and why?

Module 4 – Prayer and Spirituality

Reading For this Module students must read chapter 16 & 24 of To Love & Serve: Anglican Beliefs and Practices 

Video Please watch this video with your cohort, clergy mentor, or lay companions, although you may also want to view the video on your own as well. Once you have completed the video please look at the discussion questions along with your clergy, and parish/congregation group.

This video features the Right Reverend Samuel Rose, Bishop of the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador.

Discussion Questions After reading the assigned chapters for this module and viewing the assigned video, with your cohort, clergy mentor, or lay companions discuss the following questions. This conversation should ideally be 1-1.5 hours to allow for fulsome conversation. 

· What resonated with you or connects with your own faith journey or ministry discernment? 

· Is there anything that you're struggling with or don't quite understand? 

· What in the video or module readings do you feel require further learning on your part?

Journal Suggestion (This text is available online at Anglican.ca)

The Link: https://www.anglican.ca/wp-content/uploads/pray-without-ceasing.pdf
In 2019 General Synod Approved the use of Pray Without Ceasing: Morning and Evening Prayer for the Seasons of the Church Year and for Ordinary Time as an updated version of the ancient practice of daily offices. It is Comes out of the Anglican tradition of daily morning and evening prayer, and is inspired by the Book of Common Prayer and the Book of Alternative Services. Each Office is designed so that those who use it for prayer need only move page by page through the Office.
Your journal suggestion is to use Pray Without Ceasing as part of your personal prayer life for one week, praying both the morning and evening office, and using the daily lectionary readings found here. At the end of the week write your journal on your experience of using this resource. Was this resource helpful, why or why not? Was the rhythm of daily office prayer new to you? Did it deepen your prayer life? Did you pray it alone or with others?  

Module 5 – Anglicanism

Reading 

For this Module students must read chapters 17 & 18 of To Love & Serve: Anglican Beliefs and Practices, and the Introduction on pgs 7-13 of the Book of Alternative Services. Video

Please watch this video with your cohort, clergy mentor, or lay companions, although you may also want to view the video on your own as well. Once you have completed the video please look at the discussion questions along with your clergy, and parish/congregation group.

This video features the Rt Rev John Watton, Bishop of the Diocese of Central Newfoundland.

Discussion Questions

After reading the assigned chapters for this module and viewing the assigned video, with your cohort, clergy mentor, or lay companions discuss the following questions. This conversation should ideally be 1-1.5 hours to allow for fulsome conversation. 

· What resonated with you or connected with your own faith journey or ministry discernment? 

· Is there anything that you're struggling with or don't quite understand? 

· What in the video or module readings do you feel require further learning on your part?

Journal Suggestion 

Reflect on your own journey in Anglicanism. How did you come to the Anglican church, from birth or later in life? How has the Anglican Church shaped you as a follower of Jesus?

Module 6 – Truth and Reconciliation
Reading The reading for this module is not from the textbook. Instead we share resources from the Anglican Church of Canada and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. 

· The Anglican Church of Canada. has information and resources on Truth and Reconciliation. There is a lot of information so explore as much as you can. Remember this is an ongoing journey but the journey must start from somewhere.  

· Read the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. 

· Watch the documentary "Doctrine of Discovery: Stolen Lands: Strong Hearts."

· For a Newfoundland and Labrador perspective of Residential Schools read Andrea Proctor, A Long Journey: Residential Schools in Labrador and Newfoundland. 

Video Please watch this video with your cohort, clergy mentor, or lay companions, although you may also want to view the video on your own as well. Once you have completed the video please look at the discussion questions along with your clergy, and parish/congregation group.

This video features a conversation between Canon Tom Mugford, Canon for Truth and Reconciliation and Right Relationships in the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador and Rev. Dr. Robert Cooke, Dean of Theology at Queen's College Faculty of Theology.

Discussion Questions After reading the assigned chapters for this module and viewing the assigned video, with your cohort, clergy mentor, or lay companions discuss the following questions. This conversation should ideally be 1-1.5 hours to allow for fulsome conversation. 

· What resonated with you or connects with your own faith journey or ministry discernment? 

· Is there anything that you're struggling with or don't quite understand? 

· What in the video or module readings do you feel require further learning on your part? 

· Perhaps more than any other of the module conversations, conversations around truth and reconciliation can evoke strong emotional reactions. Be aware of those emotional responses in yourself and others. Ask yourself why such emotions arise? What is behind them? How might we move beyond a purely emotional response to one that is rooted in empathy, relationship and action?

Journal Suggestion What does truth and reconciliation mean to you? Where do you see the work of truth and reconciliation happening in your local context?

Module 7 – Worship 1 (The Church Year and the Lectionary)

Reading For this Module students must read chapters 10 & 11 of To Love & Serve: Anglican Beliefs and Practices.Also, read pages 262 -265 in the Book of Alternative Services

Video Please watch this video with your cohort, clergy mentor, or lay companions, although you may also want to view the video on your own as well. Once you have completed the video please look at the discussion questions along with your clergy, and parish/congregation group.

In this part 1 of 2 videos, Rev. Dr. Robert Cooke talks about worship and how the church year and lectionary forms how we gather together for the Holy Eucharist and the daily office.

Discussion Questions After reading the assigned chapters for this module and viewing the assigned video, with your cohort, clergy mentor, or lay companions discuss the following questions. This conversation should ideally be 1-1.5 hours to allow for fulsome conversation. 

· What resonated with you or connects with your own faith journey or ministry discernment? 

· Is there anything that you're struggling with or don't quite understand? 

· What in the video or module readings do you feel require further learning on your part?

Practice: (practicum)  at this point, Students should meet with their clergy to evaluate what they have accomplished, and what their ministry looks like in the parish.

Yo may use a form similar to the one that can be downloaded here.

Upon the completion of Modules 6 and 7, students are to design an order of service for Morning Prayer from the Book of Alternative Services for two (2) separate services and then lead those services with the appointed congregation(s). 

Journal Suggestion

What is your favourite season or feast day of the church year? How does it shape your own faith? In your opinion, how does it impact the life of the church?

Module 8 – Worship 2 (The Office and Eucharist)

Reading 

For this Module students must read chapters 1 & 9 of To Love & Serve: Anglican Beliefs and Practices, and the Eucharist 174-215 & Daily Prayer 36-44 of the Book of Alternative Services.  An annotated Eucharist is here  as well: 

Video

Please watch this video with your cohort, clergy mentor, or lay companions, although you may also want to view the video on your own as well. Once you have completed the video please look at the discussion questions along with your clergy, and parish/congregation group.

In this video Dr. Robert talks about important questions to reflect on when planning worship, plus provides an overview of the liturgical options for both the Eucharist and the daily offices.

Discussion Questions

After reading the assigned chapters for this module and viewing the assigned video, with your cohort, clergy mentor, or lay companions discuss the following questions. This conversation should ideally be 1-1.5 hours to allow for fulsome conversation. 

· What resonated with you or connects with your own faith journey or ministry discernment? 

· Is there anything that you're struggling with or don't quite understand? 

· What in the video or module readings do you feel requires further learning on your part?

· To what form of Eucharistic ministry do you feel called?

Journal Suggestion

After designing and leading services reflect on your experience. Where did you experience God? How has your faith been strengthened or challenged? Were you affirmed in your calling? How has your understanding of church been changed in this process? Any other reflections or further questions you wish to share?

What resources do we have?

· Online Training 

· Queen’s College

· Diocesan Documents

· Texts (framework)

· To Love and to Serve

· Servers and Services

· Patricia Bays

· Diocesan Documents

· Bishop’s Charge with Study Guides

· Policy on Sustainable and Missional Ministry

· Lean Canvas Document

· Videos : Vocation, bible Study, Homiletics, etc