Online Lay Ministry Program

Watch this space   

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

List will be here soon!