Policy Number:  3

Title:  Lay Ministry Licenses

1.      Lay ministry licenses are to be renewed on an annual basis.  The attached form is an example of the form that will be sent to the clergy calling for the annual re-licensing.  The clergy will typically receive this form in March or April of each year. 

a.       Upon receipt of a form from the Diocesan Office, the clergy, senior warden, or region dean with the responsibility of a congregation shall list the members of that congregation to be licensed for lay ministries.

b.      The list will show the name of the congregation, the names and addresses of each member to be licensed, and the type of license(s) to be issued. The form will be signed by the clergy, senior warden or regional dean certifying that the named person(s) has/have been trained in accordance with the canons and policies of the National Church and the Diocese of South Dakota.

c.       Indicating on the list the canon citation for each license would be helpful.  Care should be taken to differentiate whether a Lay Eucharistic Minister is serving under Section 5(a)1, administering the elements at Celebration of Holy Eucharist (serving as a Chalice Bearer) or Section 5(a)2, taking the Sacrament to members of the congregation who were unable to be present at the Celebration (serving as a Lay Eucharistic Visitor), or serving as both.

d.      There should also be an indication on the form of Lay Readers who have pastoral or administrative responsibilities as per Title III, Section 3 of the national canons.

e.       If a licensed layperson serves a church other than the one indicated on the form, please so indicate.

f.        Certificates will be handed out at Niobrara Convocation or mailed to the congregation from the Diocesan Office.

g.       The signed form shall be returned to the Diocesan Office by June 1.

2.      Guidelines for Lay Ministry Licensing in the Niobrara Deanery are found in the Ministry Handbook, a copy of which is included in the Policy Handbook.

3.      “Title III, Canon 3: Of Licensed Lay Persons” is quoted below for your convenience.

Sec. 1 (a)  A confirmed communicant in good standing may serve as Lay Reader, Pastoral Leader, Lay Preacher, Lay Eucharistic Minister, or Catechist, if licensed by the Bishop or Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese in which the person is a member. Guidelines for training and selection of such persons shall be established by the Bishop…

Sec. 2 (a)  A license shall be given only at the request, and upon the recommendation, of the Member of the Clergy in charge of the Congregation in which the person will be serving. The license shall be issued for a period of time not to exceed three years and shall be revocable by the Bishop, or upon the request of the Member of the Clergy in charge of the congregation.

            (b)  Renewal of the license shall be determined on the basis of the acceptable performance of the ministry by the licensee and upon the endorsement of the Member of the clergy in charge of the Congregation in which the person is serving.

            (c)  A person licensed in any Diocese under the provisions of this Canon may serve in another Congregation in the same of another Diocese at the invitation of the Member of the Clergy in charge, and with the consent of the Bishop in whose jurisdiction the service will occur.

            (d)  The person licensed shall conform to the directions of the Bishop and the Member of the Clergy in charge of the Congregation in which the person is serving, in all matters relating to the conduct of services, the sermons to be read, and the dress to be worn. In every respect, the person licensed shall conform to the requirements and limitations set forth in the rubrics and other directions of the book of common Prayer.

Sec. 3  A Pastoral Leader is a Lay Person licensed to exercise pastoral or administrative responsibility in a Congregation under special circumstances and may be licensed to lead regularly the Offices authorized by the Book of Common Prayer. Prior to licensing, a Pastoral Leader shall be trained, examined, and found competent in the following subjects:

            (a)  The Holy Scriptures, contents and background;

            (b)  The Book of Common Prayer and The Hymnal;

            (c)  The conduct of public worship;

            (d)  Use of the voice;

            (e)  Church History;

            (f)  The Church’s Doctrine as set forth in the Creeds and An Outline of the Faith, commonly called the Catechism;

            (g)  Parish Administration;

            (h)  Appropriate Canons;

            (i)   Pastoral Care.

A Pastoral Leader shall not be licensed if, in the judgment of the Bishop or Ecclesiastical Authority, the Congregation is able to and has had reasonable opportunity to secure a resident Member of the Clergy in charge.

Sec. 4  A Lay Preacher is a person licensed to preach. Prior to licensing, the Lay Preacher shall be trained, examined and found competent in the following subjects… Persons so licensed shall only preach in congregations upon the initiative and under the supervision of the Member of the Clergy in charge.

Sec. 5 (a)         A Lay Eucharistic Minister is a person licensed to this extraordinary ministry. The Lay Eucharistic Minister shall have one or both of the following functions, as specified in the license:

            (1)        Administering the elements at any Celebration of Holy Eucharist in the absence of a sufficient number of Priests or Deacons assisting the celebrant (Chalice Bearer)

            (2)        Directly following a Celebration of the Holy Eucharist on Sunday or other regularly scheduled Celebrations, taking the Sacrament consecrated at the celebration to members of the congregation who, by reason of illness or infirmity, were unable to be present at the Celebration. Persons so licensed may also be know as “Lay Eucharistic Visitors.”

Sec. 6  A Catechist is a person licensed to prepare persons for Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, and the Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows.  

Sec. 7  A Lay Reader is a person who regularly leads public worship under the directions of a Member of the Clergy in charge of the congregation. Training and licensing shall be under the authority of the Bishop…

Sec. 8  A Lector is a person trained in reading of the Word and appointed without license by the Member of the Clergy in charge of the Congregation to read lessons or lead the Prayers of the People.