Accredited Lay Preachers in the Regulations

MINISTRY OF LAY PREACHER

2.8.1 The ministry of Lay Preacher is one in which lay persons may participate in the proclamation of the gospel and in witness to Christian faith and experience, and for which they have received gifts and are called by the Holy Spirit.

DEFINITION

2.8.2 A Lay Preacher is a member of the Church who is authorised to conduct services of worship in the Congregation in which such Lay Preacher holds membership and in any other Congregation to which the Lay Preacher may be invited by the Minister thereof.

RECOGNITION

2.8.3 (a) The Church recognises as Lay Preachers:

(i) persons who at the time of the inauguration held the office of Lay Preacher or Local Preacher in any one of the Uniting churches, and who signified adherence to the Basis of Union;

(ii) persons who are subsequently accredited as Lay Preachers in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Assembly.

(b) A former Minister whose recognition has been withdrawn under the provisions of Reg 2.4.23(a), and who is in good standing with the Church, may upon request be accredited as a Lay Preacher.

SELECTION

2.8.4 (a) Any person offering for service as a Lay Preacher shall be required to satisfy the Presbytery with respect to the following:

(i) Church Membership. The applicant must be a confirmed member of the Church and must have held the status of a confirmed member for twelve months or more or have held equivalent status in another church acknowledged by the Church.

(ii) Suitability. The applicant must be a person suitable in character, personality, spiritual maturity and capacity to exercise the responsibilities of Lay Preacher.

(b) Applicants shall make writing application to the Presbytery through the Minister of the Congregation (or through the appropriate member of the Ministry team in the Congregation) in which the applicant holds membership.

(c) The Church Council shall interview the applicant and forward the application, with its report and recommendations, to the Presb within ninety days after receipt of the application by the Minister.

(d) The Presbytery shall make such investigations and enquiries as it sees fit and may interview the applicant and shall either accept the applicant as a candidate for training as a Lay Preacher or reject the application providing that a 2-thirds majority vote of members present shall be required for acceptance.

TRAINING

2.8.5 (a) The Synod shall establish or approve training centres to assist in the training of Lay Preachers and shall establish a Committee or other such body to direct such training and to conduct such examinations as are prescribed at a standard determined by the Ministerial Education Commission.

(b) Candidates for training as Lay Preachers shall be required to participate in lecture and/or correspondence courses, attend such residential training conferences as may be required, undertake practical training and gain experience in preaching, and pass such examinations as are prescribed by the Ministerial Education Commission.

ACCREDITATION

2.8.6 (a) Candidates who have fulfilled the training requirements and passed the prescribed examinations may apply to the Presbytery through their Church Council for accreditation as Lay Preachers.

(b) Accreditation is dependent upon the candidate demonstrating an understanding of and affirming adherence to the Basis of Union.

(c) The Presbytery shall determine whether or not a candidate is to be accredited as a Lay Preacher and shall, where appropriate, arrange for a service of worship at which such accreditation will be acknowledged before the Church, and shall issue a certificate of accreditation as a Lay Preacher.

(d) The Presbytery shall exercise oversight of Lay Preachers within its bounds and may withdraw accreditation from persons whom it determines to be no longer acceptable to the Church as Lay Preachers.

(e) Any decision to accredit or withdraw accreditation shall require a two thirds majority of the members present at the meeting of the Committee of the Presbytery or the Presbytery.

(f) Each Presbytery shall maintain a roll of Lay Preachers and on the advice of the appropriate Church Council shall from time to time enter the names of Lay Preachers according to the following classifications:

(i) active;

(ii) inactive - unavailable for an extended period;

(iii) retired.

TRANSFER TO ANOTHER CONGREGATION

2.8.7 Any Lay Preacher transferring membership from one Congregation to another shall be recognised as such in the congregation to which transfer is made.

REVIEW AND REPORT

2.8.8 At the time of any consultation on the life and witness of a Congregation in accordance with the provisions of Reg. 3.4.5, 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. The result of that review shall be reported to the Presbytery. In cases of doubt as to whether a Lay Preacher satisfies the requirements of the office, explanation or amendment of the situation shall be sought by the Church Council. If still unsatisfactory the Lay Preacher concerned shall be warned that recognition may be withdrawn.

WITHDRAWAL OF RECOGNITION

2.8.9 (a) Recognition shall be withdrawn by the Presbytery if the Lay Preacher ceases to be a member of the Church.

(b) The Presbytery may withdraw recognition by a 2 thirds majority of those present, if after receiving a report from the Church Council, it determines that the Lay Preacher has failed to maintain a satisfactory relationship with the life of the Church or is no longer conforming to standards of a member and Lay Preacher of the Church or complying with the discipline of the Church.

RIGHT OF APPEAL

2.8.10 Any Lay Preacher whose recognition has been withdrawn by the Presbytery may make appeal to the Synod which shall appoint a Committee to review the matter and the determination of this Committee shall be final.

REINSTATEMENT OF A LAY PREACHER

2.8.11 If a Lay Preacher whose recognition has been withdrawn in accordance with the provisions of Reg 2.8.9 seeks to be reinstated, the Church Council shall consider and determine the matter, after consultation with the Presbytery by which recognition was withdrawn.

LAY PREACHERS ASSOCIATION

2.8.12 Each Synod and each Presbytery may arrange for the formation of a Lay Preachers’ association.

2.8.13 (a) Each Presbytery will appoint a Lay Preacher contact person and notify the Synod accordingly.

(b) Each Synod shall maintain a register of Presbytery Lay Preacher contact persons.