Lay Ministry
Interested in Exploring Lay Ministries?
All Christians are called to love and serve others. For some that takes the form of ordained ministry as a priest or deacon. For others there are a variety of ministries of the people in our dioceses, our parishes, or our communities. However, there are a distinctive set of ministries, provided for by our church’s canon law, that require training and licensure by your Bishop.
Preparation in the Stevenson School does not obligate the Bishop to grant a license, but rather provides a quality education experience that will form you spiritually and intellectually for the work.
These short training programs can be completed within a calendar year and provide the structure for explore the licensure as well as exposing you to other lifelong learning opportunities.
The Lay Ministry trainings are open to Episcopalians from any diocese! We welcome you to explore this path as you discern your church leadership and ministry possibilities! Have questions about this track?
Email us and schedule time for an information session.
What are the co-requisites for exploring lay ministry?
- Be a confirmed communicant in good standing at a parish.
- Complete the SSFM Becoming the Beloved Community course (or your diocese’s anti-racism training equivalent).
- Possess a current certification in Safe Church, Safe Communities.
- Attend SSFM Learning Workshops (three in the 2023-24 academic year).
Lay Worship Leader Training
Lay Worship Leader Licensure is given by bishops diocesan and diocesan commissions on ministry. The SSFM-provided training prepares lay leaders for this licensure. As written in the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, the licensure provides… “a lay person who regularly leads public worship under the direction of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.” The license, given by the Eccestical Authority, is authorized for a time-certain period, and then the individual needs to apply for renewal.
Course Requirements + Suggestions
| Introduction Courses 2 required | Introduction to Hebrew Scriptures Introduction to New Testament |
| Prayer Book Studies 1 required | Prayer Book Studies |
| Trainings 2 required | Becoming Beloved Community or your diocese’s anti-racism training Safe Church, Safe Communities (current certification) |
| Optional Courses 3 suggested | Anglican Approaches to Ministry Continuing Education in Scripture Study Continuing Education in Spiritual Practices |
Lay Preacher Training
Lay Preacher Licensure is given by bishops diocesan and diocesan Commissions on Ministry. The SSFM-provided training prepares lay leaders for this licensure. As written in the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, the licensure provides… “a lay person authorized to preach. Persons so authorized shall only preach in congregations under the direction of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.” The license, given by the Eccestical Authority, is authorized for a time-certain period, and then the individual needs to apply for renewal.
Course Requirements + Suggestions
| Introduction Courses 2 required | Introduction to Hebrew Scriptures Introduction to New Testament |
| Prayer Book Studies 1 required | Prayer Book Studies |
| Homiletics 1 required | Homiletics 1 |
| Trainings 2 required | Becoming Beloved Community or your diocese’s anti-racism training Safe Church, Safe Communities (current certification) |
| Optional Courses 3 suggested | Anglican Approaches to Ministry Anglican Homiletics Continuing Education in Scripture Study Continuing Education in Spiritual Practices |
Lay Evangelism Training
An Evangelist is a lay person who presents the good news of Jesus Christ in such a way that people are led to receive Christ as savior and follow Christ as Lord in the fellowship of the Church. We currently offer a 14-week Lay Evangelism Training, incorporating lectures, discussions, and practicums, designed to equip lay Episcopalians to know and share this good news of Christ. Participants will come away from the training with a deeper awareness of God’s story and practical skills for sharing this story.
Topics covered include:
- “Why” evangelism and baptismal ministry?
- Reading scripture for evangelism in the Episcopal Church
- Knowing your own spiritual autobiography
- Basic apologetics and articulating “why” Christianity
Participation in this training is also a pathway towards being licensed, at the bishop’s discretion, as a lay evangelist per the canons of the Episcopal Church (Title III, Canon 4, Section 9).
We currently anticipate offering this training again in the Fall of the 2025-26 academic year.
SSFM Learning Workshops
Learning Workshops are special presentations offered at various times in the fall and spring semesters. Attendance is expected for those enrolled in a Stevenson certificate program. These Saturday morning online workshops are guided explorations on topics relevant to bringing ministry into context.
Upcoming: Saturday, May 3, 2025: Communication and Christian Identity in Polarized Times
Register Today
Find the courses and registration on our upcoming course page.