Pathway to Licensed Lay Ministry

On the path with you

  • Rector
  • Home parish
  • Bishop’s Committee on Lay Orders
  • Canon to the Ordinary
  • Bishop’s office
Steps:
  • Nomination
  • Training
  • Commissioning
  1. Nomination
  • Emphasis:
    • Discernment of call by those who know you best: Local parish and rector
  • Participants:
    • You
    • Your rector
    • Your parish
    • Bishop’s Committee on Lay Orders (Cn. Hylden, Cn. Bergstrom, and Carrie Boren Headington, our Missioner for Evangelism)
  • What’s Required:
    • You meet with your Rector, and receive from him/her a detailed letter of recommendation as someone who has displayed a calling as a lay Catechist or Evangelist
    • You meet with the Bishop’s Committee on Lay Orders, and receive from them a recommendation to move forward with training
    • You complete Application
  1. Training
  • Emphasis:
    • In-depth, seminary-level classes on the basics of the Christian faith and specialized training in catechetics or evangelism
  • Participants:
    • You
    • Quality teachers at the Stanton Center or other approved programs
  • What’s Required:
    • Satisfactory completion of coursework, including a hands-on ministry project in evangelism or catechesis
  • Timing:
    • Courses for catechists are designed to take three years, and courses for evangelists may be completed in two years. Courses meet for one intensive Saturday per month during the academic year.
    • Previous education can count for credit, with approval of Bishop’s Committee
    • Classes begin each August and run through May
  1. Commissioning
  • Emphasis:
    • Licensing by the bishop under Canon III.4 (Episcopal Church Constitution and Canons)
    • Being commissioned and sent out by the bishop on a mission of catechesis or evangelism in the diocese of Dallas
  • What’s Required:
    • You complete Safe Church training and background check
    • You meet with Bishop’s Committee, and receive recommendation that the bishop license and commission you
    • You meet with the Canon to the Ordinary, and receive the bishop’s endorsement to license and commission you as a Catechist or Evangelist