The Ministry of Lay Preacher
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. (Regulation 2.8.1)
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. (Regulation 2.8.2)
Since union, Lay Preachers have served the Uniting Church in Australia faithfully. Sometimes they have led regular weekly services, in their home or neighbouring congregations. Sometimes they have preached occasionally or provided ‘back-up’ to ministry teams. In many cases, Lay Preachers have contributed significantly to the leadership of local congregations and presbyteries. A few have served their Synods as Moderators.
Lay Preachers are not expected to perform the same task as Ministers of the Word. Rather, they are valued for their unique experiences as lay people in ministry in the world. They experience a different context and are able to speak differently into that context, critiquing the world and the Church from a different angle to those immersed in the orders of church life. Accredited Lay Preachers (who are Commissioned by the UCA) are held accountable to the Lay Preacher Code of Ethics. They commit to undertaking ongoing continuing Education and are accountable to the Presbtery for their ministry service.
The Uniting Church expects each and every member of the Church to contribute to our community life according to gifts and graces. It is not surprising, then, that we expect the prophetic voice to arise amongst the ‘regular’ people in the community. The heart of a spiritually maturing people will be expressed by many voices, not just the few. In expectation and anticipation, we look for those lay people in our communities who are willing to be disciplined in their study of scripture and theology, who are prayerful and discerning, and who seek God’s words for today’s disciples.
Lay Preaching is serious and exciting business!
There are currently 440 active Lay Preachers in the Synod of NSW-ACT, with an additional 87 who are retired (but who occasionally preach). We currently have approximately 234 Candidates in training!
There are, of course, may other people who sometimes deliver sermons or lead worship at the invitation of the local Church Council or Minister. These are known as Occasional Preachers. The Uniting Church encourages all Occasional Preachers to consider Candidating for Accreditation as part of their commitment and disciplines of being engaged in ministry. Occasional Preachers, Candidates and Accredited Lay Preachers are all invited to join the Synod Lay Preachers' Association.
Training for Lay Preachers
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 Ministry Leadership.
There are currently 4 modules:
- Proclaiming Jesus Christ (Christology)
- Exploring the Old Testament (OT Foundations)
- Exploring the New Testament (NT Foundations)
- Talking Faith (Theology—Uniting Church Perspectives)
Skills related to proclamation of God's good news and leading worshipping communities will be incorporated in each of these modules. Students who attend all 4 modules will also have completed the study components for Worship and Preaching.
These Lay Preacher modules will be competency based and use multiple methods of learning and assessment including reflections, journaling, group and individual presentations, film, workshops and lectures.
Some pre-reading will be required and there is an expectation that some preparatory work will be undertaken and brought to the LP School. The first assignment, is due on Day 1. You will need to bring this completed to the School. More information will be given on enrolment.
'Talking Faith' Intensive at the Centre for Ministry, January 2009.
SPECIAL EVENTS
2011 Synod Lay Preacher Association Luncheon with Guest Speaker: Rev Dr Ian Price
to be held at Jesmond Park Uniting Church, 15 Robert Street, Jesmond.
Saturday 24th September - 12.30pm
2011 Synod Resource Ministers' Dinner with Guest Speaker: Rev Dr Ian Price
to be held at a Restaurant in Newcastle...
Invited Guests, hosted by the School of Continuing Education and Past ELM Staff.
**** Pre-booking essential ****
Rev Dr Ian Price is the Chief Executive Officer of Mediacom.
Ordained in 1978, Ian served three parishes in the Uniting Church in Australia, served briefly in New South Wales as the Executive Director of the UCA’s Board of Education, was MediaCom’s Associate Director from 1998 to 2002, and spent the last nine years heading the Uniting Church in South Australia’s Mission Resourcing Network with responsibilities in mission to children and youth, ministry with indigenous people, engaging in international mission partnerships, as well as rural and urban mission planning.
Ian is deeply committed to bringing the best resources to the Christian Church in discipleship, worship, faith formation and missional effectiveness. Through publishing, book and magazine distribution and consultancy, he seeks to serve the church with excellence.
Ian spoke earlier this year at the National Lay Preacher Gathering in Adelaide. He is the guest of Uniting Mission and Education at this year's Synod meeting in Newcastle.
