In baptism every disciple is called to make Jesus known as Saviour and Lord and to share his work in renewing the world. Some by ordination are given particular tasks. Bishops share their ministry with their priests in each congregation. Specific tasks maybe shared by the cleric in charge with the members of the congregation.
The discernment of gifts within a community of faith lies with all the baptised including the Bishop or their representative. When these gifts have been identified it is the responsibility of the community to encourage and foster the use of these gifts.
There are many ways to serve your church!
Lay Readers
Lay Readers preach and teach as lay theologians and are often involved in pastoral work too. They work closely in collaboration with their priest to support and develop the life of the congregation. They are licensed to their diocese and may be asked to work more widely across the diocese. Some of them have a particular ministerial role in the wider community.
Readers are trained to at least Certificate level by Scottish Episcopal Institute. They are not normally paid a stipend for their work.
Find out more about the discernment process for Lay Readers here. If you think you may be called to be a Lay Reader, you should speak about it first with your rector, priest in charge or chaplain (if you are at school, college or university), who may then contact our diocesan Warden of Lay Readers, Robert Thain.
Authorised Lay Ministries
There are three lay ministries, in addition to the position of Lay Reader, within the Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway, that require authorisation from the Bishop: Eucharistic Assistant, Pastoral Assistant and Worship Leader. Individuals may be authorised to fulfil one or more of these three roles.
Authorisation will only be granted by the Bishop if the individual concerned enjoys the support of their local Rector or Priest-in-Charge and Vestry and following receipt of a relevant extract of Vestry minutes relating to the appointment and a signed working agreement, together with the appropriate training and PVG clearance having been completed.
Once authorisation has been granted this lasts for three years and will then end or be renewed if application for this has been made. On the appointment of a new cleric to a congregation, the lay minister will remain in post for the first six months. If it is agreed they are to continue in their role a fresh application must be made.
Authorised lay ministries are celebrated by the Diocese each year at a Ministry Celebration service. The focus of these are reflected in a three years cycle as follows:
•Lay Readers
•Worship Leaders and Pastoral Assistants
•Eucharistic Assistants
The appointment of someone to a lay ministry should also be celebrated within their local church community as part of a main Sunday service.
Pastoral Assistants
Role: Pastoral Assistants primarily help with the pastoral work of their local church community. These tasks may involve regular visiting; if authorised also as a Eucharistic Assistant, taking the Reserved Sacrament to the housebound and ill; and assisting with other pastoral matters under the direction of their priest.
Training for Pastoral Assistants is provided locally from the Rector or Priest-in-Charge using the 5 session Pastoral Assistant training material that can be obtained from the Diocesan Office. This training material can be used for Pastoral Teams and potentially ecumenically with those that offer a similar role in another local Christian denomination.
PVG: All Pastoral Assistants require PVG clearance relating to their work with vulnerable people before they begin their role.
Eucharistic Assistants
Role: To assist with the administration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion during public worship. Some Eucharistic Assistants may take the Reserved Sacrament out to the housebound or ill in their homes.
Training for Eucharistic Assistants is provided locally from the Rector or Priest-in-Charge.
PVG: Eucharistic Assistants do not require PVG clearance unless their remit includes taking the Sacrament out to individuals in their homes and/or together with being a Worship Leader, leading a service of public worship at which the Reserved Sacrament is distributed and/or as Altar Servers with responsibility for training and supervising child servers. (See SEC PVG Guidance p. 7: Safeguarding in the Scottish Episcopal Church – The Scottish Episcopal Church)
It is not unusual for people to be both Pastoral and Eucharistic Assistants.
Worship Leaders
Role: Worship Leaders are authorised to lead worship and, perhaps, offer a brief address on an occasional basis. Any address given should be agreed to in advance by their priest and delivered only within their local church community.
If the act of worship involves the use of the reserved Sacrament, in the absence of a priest, the Worship Leader should also be authorised as a Eucharistic Assistant.
Training for Worship Leaders is provided directly by the Diocese. This may be offered on an annual basis and in an online format. The training is based on the ‘Handbook for Worship Leaders in the Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway’ and each Worship Leader should have a copy for their reference. As well as an online version of the booklet, hard copies can be obtained from the Diocesan Office.
In order to deepen the spirituality and collegiality of Worship Leaders an annual Study day is offered.
PVG: All Worship Leaders require PVG clearance before they begin acting as a Worship Leader within their local congregation.
If you are interested in learning more about the three types of Authorised Lay Ministry (Pastoral Assistants, Eucharistic Assistants, and Worship Leaders), you can speak about them with your local priest. The Bishop’s Adviser in Lay Ministries, the Rev Canon Gordon Fyfe, could be contacted for further information.
