The Bishop will license a lay person at the request of the priest in charge. In order to be considered for licensing, a lay person must be a confirmed communicant in good standing. The license is issued for three years and may require additional training before renewal. Lay preachers “have at least two years of seminary education, successfully completed Education for Ministry, or equivalent training or preparation accepted by the Bishop.” Equivalent training includes either successful completion of the three pre-requisite classes offered by Bexley Seabury or graduation from Education for Ministry, followed by the Preaching Sermon Camp at Bexley Seabury. All this is in accordance with Canon III.4.5 of the National Canons: “A Preacher is 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.”
Additional requirements:
- Background check by Active Screening-Faith
- Complete all Safe Church modules assigned to Lay Preacher
- Submit application and letter of recommendation by your priest in charge to the Bishop’s Office to maryann@episcopalri.org
The first step is a conversation with your Priest-in-Charge to have a conversation and discern.