Lay Preaching
Introduction
Lay Preaching has a long and distinguished tradition in the Uniting Church and its former denominations. A Lay Preacher is a lay member of the Church whose gifts for preaching and leading worship have been recognised and who is trained and then authorised to lead services of worship.
In keeping with the Uniting Church's understanding of Christ's call to all people, and of the Spirit who endows a diversity of gifts for service in the ministry of Christ, both women and men are called to this ministry. A paper on women preachers in the Methodist tradition by Rev Dr Barry Brown is available for download, which explores this history in British and Australian contexts.
This significant ministry is described in both the Basis of Union (Paragraph 14(d)) and in the Regulations of the Uniting Church (Section 2.8).
[Please note that the new Uniting Church Constitution and Regulations come into effect on 1 June 2012. These were released in March 2012, and any references to particular Regulations have yet to be updated on this page]
'Called to Preach' is the newly-released Lay Preachers' Association manual which includes lots of useful information about Lay Preachers and Lay Preaching.
Lay Preachers' Associations and Committees
More information about the Synod Lay Preachers' Association and presbytery associations or committees for Lay Preachers.
Calling
If you feel that you may have a gift for preaching and leading worship and want to explore this further you are encouraged to speak with your Minister and Church Council and then apply to your presbytery. Once your application is accepted you will become a Lay Preacher candidate.
Training
The components involved in your training are as follows:
- Complete the course of four Lay Ministry Intensives, including modules on Old Testament, New Testament, Theology and Christology. Elements of Preaching and Worship are incorporated into each of these intensives. These modules are offered by the CTM as face-to-face weekend Intensives on a two yearly rotating cycle.
- Alternatively complete a course of distance education modules offered through Uniting College in Adelaide, which are offered at Cert IV level. New modules will be available from the beginning of 2011. Details can be found at http://college.sa.uca.org.au/
- Attend a Lay Preacher Formation weekend that explores the Basis of Union, the Code of Ethics and Ministry Practice for Lay Preachers, and other expectations of accredited Lay Preachers including supervision, networking and continuing education.
- Lead worship on a number of occasions, some of which will be formally assessed through your presbytery.
- After satisfactory completion of the training and assessment the presbytery can formally accredit you as a Lay Preacher of the Uniting Church in Australia.
Want more detail? See the Assembly Ministerial Education Commission's Rules for Lay Preacher study & education, and read Uniting Church Regulations regarding the Ministry of Lay Preacher.
Education Grants
Lay Education grants may assist in covering part of the education cost of Lay Preacher training. Application forms are available from the CTM page http://ctm.uca.edu.au/LayEducationGrants
The Lay Preachers Association (LPA) also has a small fund to assist Lay Preacher candidates. Details are available from the Secretary, Rhonda McInerney: murray [dot] mcinerney [at] bigpond [dot] com
Continuing Education
In order to further assist and grow this ministry, Lay Preachers are encouraged to undertake regular Continuing Education which may take some the following forms:
- Preach and lead worship regularly
- Engage in on-going study (suggestions available from LPA or CTM)
- Receive regular supervision from their Minister or presbytery
- Join the Lay Preachers Committee or Association in their presbytery
- Participate in the Code of Ethics and Ministry Practice workshops in their presbytery
- Attend the Lay Preachers' Association Annual Conference
- Follow guidelines of the presbytery, synod and assembly, such as Guidelines on personal boundaries in worship (Nov 2011)
and of course must continue to adhere to the Basis of Union and the Code of Ethics and Ministry Practice for Lay Preachers.
Volunteers and Payments
Lay Preaching is a voluntary ministry of the Church, and Lay Preachers offer their services for the common good of the gospel without expectation of payment. Lay Preachers contribute to their own congregations just as many other members of the congregation do in various ways, without payment for services or travel. Congregations are expected to offer a travel allowance to any visiting Lay Preachers; such Lay Preachers may decide whether to accept the travel allowance in part or in full, or to gratefully decline the offered travel allowance. Travel is reimbursed at the “ad hoc rates” set annually by the Synod (see http://wr.victas.uca.org.au/committees/tpc/): at the lower rate for Lay Preachers who are in employment or paid ministry, and at the higher rate for Lay Preachers without income. Some congregations and presbyteries regularly provide their Lay Preachers with a grant for ministry resources.
Uniting Church Guidelines for Worship
The VicTas Synod Standing Comittee has released important guidelines on personal boundaries in worship (December 2011).
The Uniting Church Assembly working group on Theology and Discipleship provides guidelines on a wide range of aspects of worship including appropriate liturgical dress worn by worship leaders and office bearers, the use of the Uniting Church logo or emblem, and the use of inclusive language:
- Guidelines on Liturgical Dress (1992)
- Statement on Liturgical Dress (1993)
- The Alb - Further Guidelines
- Liturgical Dress in the Uniting Church (1993, longer historical survey)
- Uniting Church Logo Style Guide and logos for dowload
- Inclusive Language in Theology & Liturgy
Many lay leaders choose simply to wear 'normal' clothes when leading worship, but of course 'normal' varies widely amongst the many different cultural contexts within the Uniting Church.
From the 'Guidelines on Liturgical Dress': It is appropriate for lay leaders of worship, including lay preachers, if they wish, to wear an 'ecumenical' white/cream alb, a 'pectoral' cross (one hung around the neck) or other Christian symbol, and a Uniting Church scarf (but not stole in the colours of the liturgical season, as ordained leaders do).
The alb provides attire common to everyone charged with liturgical leadership responsibilities, and echoes the baptismal robes worn in the first centuries of the Church (see Rev 3:4, 6:11, 7:9-14).
The scarf is a strip of plain material, some 18-20 cms in width, gathered into pleats at the neck, and hanging down to about knee length, and without fringes. It may be decorated with a Uniting Church logo, and/or a cross, or the emblem of some other Uniting Church organization at the bottom of both sides. The Uniting Church scarf is blue, but some presbyteries have designated alternative colours for the scarves worn by their office-bearers. The scarf is a sign of office in the church, worn by both lay and ordained people. The scarf and the stole have their widely accepted origins in the yoke which, though easy (Matt 11: 29 and 30) remains a symbol of service.
The pectoral cross or symbol points to whose we are and serve: Jesus Christ.
Review of Lay Preaching
The Uniting Church Assembly is undertaking a national review of the ministry of Lay Preacher through the Assembly Ministerial Education Commission (MEC). This review will help the UCA shape the ministry of Lay Preacher for the future and also help the church discern how to resource other lay leaders.
The Ministerial Education Commission has released a Report and Response Paper as part of a national Review of the Ministry of Lay Preacher.
The paper reports on surveys of Lay Preachers and other lay leaders, Church Councils, Ministers and Presbyteries conducted in 2011. A summary of the findings is presented, along with a number of statements about possible directions for the future. Councils of the church, relevant Committees and Agencies, and individual church members, are asked to consider the findings and submit a response to the Report by 21 May 2012.
More information
For further information on Lay Preaching please contact the Synod Lay Preachers' Association or Rohan Pryor on (03) 9340 8816 or email rohan [dot] pryor [at] ctm [dot] uca [dot] edu [dot] au.
