New information about the Authorised Lay Ministry course is coming soon.
Authorised Ministries are designed to release and utilise the gifts that God has already given to his people. They further the mission of God and enable and affirm the development of the ministry of the whole people of God. Many people want to offer their time and talents in particular ways, and this scheme offers them a short but focused Diocesan training course, to equip them for specific roles in their parishes, and potentially more widely. It will encourage local churches to respond to their particular needs in terms of mission and ministry and it will promote diocesan collegiality (as each training module will have a family likeness even when delivered in different contexts).
During the consultation period, enthusiasm was expressed for a range of ministries.To ensure that our plans are deliverable and realistic, we will focus in the first instance on the following areas: worship leading; pastoral care; and community engagement.These will be followed by training modules in lay leadership; evangelism; children and youth ministry; pioneering; and more specialist pastoral ministry.
Participants will need to have the recommendation and backing of their incumbent and PCC; they will adhere to the diocesan safeguarding policies; they will attend diocesan training and will be committed to ongoing training and supervision following authorisation; and they will exercise ministry within a collaborative team (although the size and shape of the team may vary at a local level).
The Authorised Ministry course will consist of two building blocks of training:
1) A preliminary block which will include the relevant safeguarding training, together with a session on diocesan values and opening up ministry in an Anglican framework;
2) The substantive module, which consists of a number of sessions usually twelve evening sessions - covering both core material common to all Authorised Ministries (three sessions on practical theology, communications, and shared leadership) and specialist skills, knowledge, and experience (nine sessions) designed to equip the participants with the necessary skills and confidence to begin ministering.
We have already run well-received pilots for training worship leaders in Norham, Bamburgh and Glendale deaneries, and we are excited about the opportunities this new scheme will give for more people to use their God-given potential in Gods mission in and to the world.
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For further information please email vision@newcastle.anglican.org