Education for Lay Leadership

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Recently commissioned as a Pastor within the Uniting Church, and as Lay Leadership Educator within the Centre for Theology and Ministry, Rohan Pryor is excited by the leadership challenges ahead for the Uniting Church. 'I'm ninety per cent excited, and ten per cent daunted, and intend to maintain that ratio', says Rohan.

'Our Church has long celebrated the importance of specified lay ministries, including Lay Preachers and Lay Pastors, and the new ministry of Pastor gathers Lay Pastors and other lay ministries including chaplains, youth workers, and others who work with children and their families.

'Lay people are increasingly being asked to take on roles that ordained ministers used to fulfil, including leading worship, pastoral care, evangelism and service beyond the gathered congregation, and teaching others about the Christian faith as the Uniting Church understands it. But lay people also have a vocation in and to the world, in a way different to ordained ministers. Faithful leadership as a teacher or farmer or bus driver also needs strong faith and good theology'.

Until recently Rohan was the Presbytery Minister for Administration in North East Victoria, and previously coordinated the National Christian Youth Convention (NCYC 2009) among other roles for the Synod spanning 19 years.

Dr Jill Tabart, current President of the Synod Lay Preachers' Association, and former national President of the Uniting Church, preached on the discipline of faithful discipleship, drawing on the metaphor of the vine and branches in John 15, and of gifts for building up the body of Christ in Ephesians 4. Associate Professor David Beckett, outgoing chair of the Board of the Centre for Theology and Ministry (CTM), commissioned Rohan as a pastor while serving in the role of Lay Leadership Educator within the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania. 

Rohan continues, 'The Church expects high standards of its lay leaders, including in the areas of education and ministry practice. I relished studying theology as a lay person, and now have the opportunity to coordinate intensive learning opportunities for other lay leaders'.

'During weekend intensives we explore the New Testament and Hebrew scriptures, theology and Christology all through the lenses of leadership and ministry, with a focus on worship and preaching as practical outcomes. Lay people are also frequently asked to preside at the Sacraments, or to conduct funerals and pastoral care, so our Church trains and supports these lay leaders. I really enjoy working with Presbytery Ministers and other experienced leaders in our Church. Collaboration and teamwork is at the heart of the Basis of Union, and together we learn better, discern better, and care bette'.