Lay ministry in the church
Forms for liturgical assistant licenses (Apply through the office of Bishop Suffragan James E. Curry):
Lay ministry in the world
In the Episcopal Church, we believe that when you are baptized, your ministry
begins. This is your lay ministry, and it is primarily "in the world."
According to the Book of Common Prayer, "The ministry of lay persons
is to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they
may be and, according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ's work
of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship,
and governance of the Church.. (See "4
orders")
-
A
great column, from the May 25, 2003 front page of AnglicansOnline.org,
musing about the ministry of the laity in the world.
- The bimonthly diocesan newspaper, Good News, carries a baptismal ministry/lay
ministry profile in each issue. In 2003, one of the
profiles featured Billie Alban, an ardent advocate for lay ministry.
(PDF)
- The Episcopal Church's Office for Ministry Development (see link below)
is currently promoting a book by Mark Greene, "Supporting
Christians at Work: A Practical Guide for Busy Clergy." The book
argues that the workplace is the "main mission field in contemporary
life" and offers ideas on why the issues have been blocked in the
past, plus how to support lay persons in the workplace.
- According to Title III (Ministry) of Canons 1,2.1-4 of the Episcopal
Church, each diocese shall have a commission consisting of clergy and
lay persons to determine present and future opportunities and needs for
the ministry of all baptized persons in the Diocese and the world. They
shall assist the Bishop with the regard to the needs of ordained and lay
professionals in the Diocese, including recruiting and selecting persons
for Holy Orders and in guiding and examining Postulants, Candidates and
Deans in training for Priesthood. The Diocese of Connecticut has formed
a "Committee L" in response to this mandate.
- See the Adult Formation
pages for education resources.
More links to explore baptismal ministry/lay ministry:
- Avodah Insititute
Avodah (Ah´-voe-dah) is a Hebrew word used in the Bible that
has two distinct yet intertwined meanings: worship and work. The
primary purpose of The Avodah Institute is to help meet the spiritual
needs of people in the marketplace. Its mission is to help leaders
integrate the claims of their faith with the demands of their work.
- Centre for Spirituality
at Work
The Centre for Spirituality at Work is for people who desire to
deepen the connection between who they are and what they do. And
for those who want to release, nurture, claim, savor the sacred
at work and help others to do so as well. Based in Toronto.
- The
Episcopal Church Office for Ministry Development supports the
development of the ministry of the laity as well as efforts to increase
the capacity of the Church to exercise its mission and ministry.
Links to resources for theological education and vocations discernment
offered.
- Evangelical
Lutheran Church of America
Within the Division for Ministry, the Office of Ministry in Daily
Life works to support individuals integrate their faith into their
whole life. It offers "ideas to stretch your mind" and
"connections to build community."
- Forum for Faith in
the Workplace: Helps people lead more integrated lives, discover
that God calls each of us into a ministry in our daily work, and
make connections between what they do in their workplace and what
they believe. Individuals find increased meaning and purpose in
their lives. Workplaces become more humane, more ethical, and more
productive. Churches are revitalized, as members understand how
the church.
- Yale Center for Faith &
Culture Promotes the practice of faith in all spheres of life
through theological research and leadership development. Each of
the Center's initiatives is driven by a purpose related to this
mission: Ethics and Spirituality in the Workplace - To help people
integrate the claims of their faith with the demands of their work;
Faith as a Way of Life - To equip pastors for excellence in mediating
faith as a life-integrating and life-transforming reality and Smith
Memorial Conferences - To foster moral leadership in all spheres
of life
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