How to become an Accredited Lay Preacher
ELM is responsible for the academic requirements of the lay preachers' course. Presbyteries deal with candidature issues, oversee local practical work, assess the overall suitability of the applicant, and make the final determination about recognition.
The National Assembly Ministerial Education Commission (MEC) sets the units of study required for Lay Preachers. See http://assembly.uca.org.au/administration/114-mec.html for information about the MEC.
Currently, the areas of study include:
- Old Testament
- New Testament
- Theology
- Christology
- Worship in the UCA
- Preaching
Accredited Lay Preachers are also subject to the Lay Preacher Code of Ethics, so it is important that they undertake some study in understanding the ‘polity and ethos’ (organisation and values) of the Uniting Church in Australia. To do this, Lay Preachers should study the Basis of Union and the Code of Ethics.
Under the Lay Preachers' Code of Ethics, all Lay Preachers are required to undertake Continuing Education. Any of ELM’s offerings are suitable for this. Other educational bodies also offer courses, workshops and resources.
Basis of Union
http://assembly.uca.org.au/resources/20-historicdocs/139-basisofunion.html
Code of Ethics
ELM is the Synod of NSW-ACT recognised provider. Various pathways are available:
1. Courses are organised by regional Presbyteries in conjunction with ELM. Generally, the requirements may be met by the completion of four units: New Testament Foundations; Old Testament Foundations; Talking Faith (Theology - Uniting Church perspectives) and Proclaiming Jesus Christ (Christology). Worship leadership and Preaching skills are built into each of these units. These four units may be completed in any order.
2. Individuals or small groups may study by distance education using Coolamon materials. Six units need to be completed: New Testament, Old Testament, Theology (Uniting Church Perspectives), Christology, Worship and Preaching.
3. Students may enrol through Coolamon College. See http://coolamon.org or phone 08 8416 8480 or 1800 639 385, email coolamon@flinders.edu.au . They may then attain credit towards an accredited Certificate, recognised within the Federal Government's qualifications framework.
4. If students choose to complete some or all of their studies at Bachelor of Theology (BTh) level, they may earn credit towards a degree whilst completing the academic requirements for the Lay Preachers' course. A number of theological colleges and universities in Australia offer theological studies at tertiary level, including studies by distance education.
Credit can only be given when the relevant units have been completed successfully. These are units with a considerable emphasis on Old Testament Introduction, New Testament Introduction, Christology, Theology (Uniting Church perspectives), Worship and Preaching. Please contact the office if you wish to apply for credit. You are encouraged to seek advice before enrolling.
People may mix and match units from the various options, but would be wise to consult with ELM at an early stage to gain written approval. This may avoid problems later. There may then be some overlap in the material studied. All the areas specified by the Ministerial Education Commission need to be covered.
Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) is available. Students need to submit details of study courses undertaken and certification of satisfactory completion. Generally, RPL is not granted for studies undertaken more than ten years previously.
Details of courses already planned are listed on the ELM Calendar for 2009. Congregations and Presbyteries are also encouraged to take initiative in organising courses at a time and place suitable to the local interested people.
Option 1 – ELM ‘Talking Faith’ Schools Face-to-face Intensives (with some work ‘at home’)
The ELM Centre is committed to providing learning opportunities for those seeking accreditation as Lay Preachers as well as those who wish to update their knowledge for Lay Preaching.
4 intensive modules have been developed:
Proclaiming Jesus Christ (Introduction to Christology)
Old Testament Foundations
New Testament Foundations
Talking Faith (Introduction to Theology in the Uniting Church)
Elements of Preaching and Introduction to Worship in the UCA are incorporated in each of these modules. Students who attend all 4 modules will also have completed these components of study.
These Lay Preacher modules are focused on developing skills and use multiple methods of learning and competency assessment including reflections, journaling, group and individual presentations, film, workshops and lectures.
Assessment for each school is both theoretical and practical, with a formal written component, group discussion participation, as well as group and individual presentations. Students are expected to undertake some pre-reading before Schools and some subjects have a DVD viewing component.
Intensive Schools are 5-6 days in duration OR are held over two weekends. Residential attendance is an option. ELM also works with some Presbyteries and Congregations to enable small groups to undertake half a unit prior to joining a larger group for the final 2-3 days of a course. This has enabled some groups to do a substantial portion of the group work in languages other than English.
Option 2 – Study through Coolamon College Distance Education Option
Coolamon College offers a statement of completion of the core study topics for the Uniting Church Lay Preachers’ Certificate. All Synods of the Uniting Church have agreed that this statement represents completing the academic requirements of the Lay Preachers’ Course either in whole or in part. (Uniting Church Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are encouraged to negotiate with the UAICC about training specific to their situation.)
Please note that for accreditation as a Lay Preacher in the Uniting Church other requirements will also apply, usually including the preaching of SIX sermons (and leading worship) and having these services evaluated.
Most Coolamon Lay Preacher students work within the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Sector, through the CMin award of the Adelaide College of Divinity (ACD). The education offered in distance mode is part of the nationally recognised Cert IV in Ministry and relies on ‘achieving competence’ in various areas of study.
Students hoping to be accredited as Lay Preachers are advised that the selection of Lay Preachers is in the hands of the Presbytery. Written application is made to the Presbytery through the minister of the Parish (see Uniting Church Regulation 2.8.4).
The UC Lay Preachers’ Certificate includes the completion of the following six topics.
1. CMBT 236 Introduction to the Old Testament
2. CMBT 003 Introduction to the New Testament
3. CMBT 244 Theology – Uniting Church Perspectives
4. CMBT 242 Further Thinking about Christology
5. CMLW 222 Worship in the UCA
6. CMLW 215 Preaching – God’s word in human speech
This certificate is not an accredited award of the ACD, but a statement of completion of the academic component of studies towards Lay Preacher certification. Students need to make application in writing to Coolamon upon completing the above topics.
Option 3 – Undertake some studies at Theological Colleges or Bible Colleges Distance or Face-to-face
e.g. See United Theological College http://www.utc.uca.org.au/
Subjects particularly relevant for Lay Preachers include:
THL105 Introduction to Old Testament Studies (satisfies OT requirement)
THL106 Introduction to New Testament Studies (satisfies NT requirement)
THL111 Introduction to Christian Theology (requires additional reflection on the Basis of Union)
THL215 Jesus the Christ (requires additional reflection on the Basis of Union)
THL227 Uniting Church Studies (may be used to supplement THL 111 & 215)
THL323 Christian Worship (students must do the UCA-specific assignments,
looking at Uniting in Worship 2)
THL314 Sacramental Theology Continuing Education
(students must do the UCA-specific assignments,
looking at Uniting in Worship 2)
THL226 Christian Education Continuing Education
(may be used to supplement a guided study program
on Preaching in the UCA)
Note: Students at UTC wishing to be Accredited as Lay Preachers will also need to undertake a guided study program on Preaching in the UCA.
Continuing Education – UTC also offers a range of excellent biblical studies subjects that are suitable for Lay Preachers to take for Credit or Audit. Please see the website for details or contact one of the biblical studies lecturers.
Applicants may also be given recognition of prior learning for courses undertaken at other Colleges, however, it should be noted that additional work may be required to demonstrate an understanding of Uniting Church doctrine, values and practices.
Option 4 – ELM support for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Learning Groups
Special courses have been created to promote and develop lay preaching in CALD communities. In 2008-2009, courses have been run in Tongan, Korean and Indonesian. Other communities are invited to contact ELM to discuss future courses.
Important. Once Lay Preachers study is completed, a letter or certificate of completion will be produced for your Presbytery to indicate that you are ready for the next stage of the process. Approval of Accredited Lay Preachers is given by the Presbytery. Your Presbytery will arrange for assessment of up to 6 worship services which you lead. (Note: When studies have been undertaken in face-to-face mode through the ELM Centre, several Presbyteries are satisfied with three assessments.)
It is up to the Presbytery to determine if you are of suitable personality and character to serve in ministry contexts as an Accredited Lay Preacher. So, a Presbytery may decide to ask a Candidate to come for an interview, provide references or undertake some additional mentoring or formation activities.
Once the studies and assessments AND whatever additional work the Presbytery may require are completed, the Presbytery can commission you to be an Accredited Lay Preacher. The Presbytery will review the Accreditation of Lay Preachers on a regular basis.
(Regulation 3.4.5 At the time of any consultation on the life and witness of a Congregation … the Church Council shall review the list of Lay Preachers recognised within the Congregation, and shall enquire as to whether they continue to perform the ministry to which they have been accredited.)
