LAY LEADERS OF WORSHIP. in the. Diocese of St Albans. Handbook

LAY LEADERS OF WORSHIP in the Diocese of St Albans Handbook

Index The Living God s Love Prayer p.2 1. Introduction/Preface p.3 2. Discerning the need for Lay Leaders of Worship (LLWs) p.4 3. Role of LLWs and its relation to Readers p.5 4. Discerning who should be selected as an LLW p.6 5. The Training p.7 6. Becoming an LLW the first three years p.9 7. After permission is granted: The first three years p.11 8. Beyond the first three years p.13 Appendices Form A: Request to Train as a Lay Leader of Worship p.14 Form B: Parish Request for a Lay Leader of Worship p.15 Form C: Lay Leader of Worship s Annual Review p.16 Form D: Lay Leader of Worship s Third Year Review p.18 The Commissioning Liturgy p.20 Copyright 2015 Diocese of St Albans. All rights reserved. Any unauthorised editing of the material, any copying and storage of any of the material in any medium by electronic means, and any distribution or communication of any of the material in electronic or online form to the public, will constitute an infringement of our copyright. Permission is granted for the material to be copied and printed for non-commercial, individual and small group use. Permission is granted, on condition that the following copyright acknowledgement is clearly shown: www.stalbans.anglican.org. Reproduced with permission. 1

The Prayer Living God, Draw us deeper into your love; Jesus our Lord, send us to care and serve; Holy Spirit, make us heralds of good news. Stir us, strengthen us, teach and inspire us to live your love with generosity and joy, imagination and courage; for the sake of your world and in the name of Jesus, Amen. Parish Development Office Holywell Lodge, 41 Holywell Hill St Albans AL1 1HE Tel: 01727 818141 For more information contact: Revd Jeanette Gosney, Parish Development Officer For administrative matters contact: Parish Development Administrator jgosney@stalbans.anglican.org pdadmin@stalbans.anglican.org Date of this edition: August 2014 2

1. Introduction by Bishop Alan Lay Leaders of Worship Handbook In the Diocese of St Albans we are continually exploring ways to fulfil our diocesan vision of Living God s Love. As part of this commitment we want to ensure that every church in the Diocese is open every Sunday for worship, providing spaces and opportunities for the spiritual and numerical growth which feed our journey of faith. Excellence in worship does not depend on numbers, but it does depend on people who can lead with confidence, creativity, and sensitivity. For this reason we are seeking as a Diocese to enable worship which: 1. takes place every Sunday at the same time in every parish/church, irrespective of the size of congregation; 2. is the best that it can be; 3. embraces a wide range of services including Holy Communion and Services of the Word, with provision for all ages. This Scheme is designed to help parishes across the Diocese discern and affirm the gifts of lay people as local lay leaders of worship (LLWs). It provides training, on completion of which they will receive a letter of permission from me recognising them as local lay leaders of worship in their local parish church. The rest of this handbook explains the Scheme in more detail. My prayer is that through this Scheme we might work for the glory of God, make excellent worship accessible to as many as possible, and also release the gifts and skills of lay people. Bishop Alan June 2014 3

2. Discerning the need for Lay Leaders of Worship (LLWs) A number of parishes find it hard to maintain a weekly Sunday service at a regular time because of a shortage of licensed leaders clergy or Readers. This can result in a number of unsatisfactory circumstances. For example, services may not be held at all on some Sundays, or they take place at varying times throughout the month, which makes it difficult for occasional worshippers to attend. Services may be led by lay people who, however willing, have had little training and may feel illequipped to lead, whether it be a service of Morning or Evening Prayer, an All Age service, or the first part of a service of Holy Communion while the priest travels from another church. In parishes where this situation exists, the clergy and the PCC are encouraged to consider the possibility of having LLWs. 4

3. Role of LLWs and its relation to Readers Lay Leaders of Worship are called to enable and lead worship in their local parish or benefice. However, they are not Readers, and fulfil a much more limited role in the life of the Church. These are two different ministries, both of which enhance the worshipping life of the Church. Readers have had their vocation discerned at a diocesan level, have studied in preparation for ministry for three years and are licensed by the Bishop to a wide-ranging ministry, which they may exercise across the Diocese and nationally. They are permitted to preach, to lead Services of the Word, to take funerals and may be granted the Bishop s permission to take services of Public Worship with Communion by Extension. They are not permitted to preside at Holy Communion. Because of their wider training, it may be that some Readers will also choose to assist in the supervision and training of LLWs. LLWs complete a much less rigorous and extensive training because their role is more limited. They are formally recognised to lead worship only in an identified, named parish or parishes in the benefice. It is the expectation that this parish(es) would be where they worship on a regular basis, and it is the parish where they are on the electoral roll which is the focus of discerning their calling to this ministry. Where possible, they are encouraged to lead worship with another LLW, or to share planning and leading within a parish Worship Team or Local Ministry Development Team (LMDT). They will usually lead services no more than once or occasionally twice a month. If they are likely to lead more than once a month, a letter should be written by the parish priest to the Bishop seeking permission. They will not normally wear robes unless local circumstances or a particular occasion requires it, when they would perhaps wear a simple cassock. While enabling and leading worship in their local parish, there are also some aspects of leading worship which they are not permitted to exercise. They are not permitted to preach, that is, to expound the Scriptures or to explain doctrine. Limited training is given to explain how they can offer an alternative to a sermon. They are not authorised to take funerals and will not be granted permission to take services of Public Worship with Communion by Extension. Like Readers, they are not permitted to preside at services of Holy Communion. The letter of permission they receive from the Bishop is valid for only three years. After that, it may then be renewed. The LLW will be accountable to the Bishop of St. Albans and his successors and to the incumbent of the parish/benefice and in the leading of worship will be faithful to the witness of the Holy Scripture and the doctrines of the Church as the Church of England has inherited and expounded them. As a result of exercising this more limited ministry, LLWs may subsequently develop and discern a vocation to a licensed ministry as a Reader or ordained person. Provision for the place of such discernment is an integral part of the LLW Scheme in the Third Year Review (see section 7). 5

4. Discerning who should be selected as an LLW The parish priest and the PCC should consider prayerfully whom God might be calling to this ministry from amongst the regular worshipping congregation. It may be that one or two people are already involved in leading parts of services and are obvious candidates. It may be that the church wardens (who by virtue of their office have permission to lead services of the Word) wish to become LLWs or to complete the training to give them confidence should they need to lead e.g. during a vacancy or an emergency. In some cases, the choice of people may be less obvious and a longer process of prayerful discernment both for the clergy and PCC and the people invited will be necessary. The following may be helpful in the discernment process. Criteria for becoming an LLW For some people becoming an LLW may be part of a growing sense of vocation perhaps to Reader ministry or ordination and be the first step in testing that vocation. For some, a calling to licensed ministry may emerge. An openness and willingness to respond to God s call is an essential criterion. Whether or not becoming an LLW is a step towards discerning a vocation, there are also other qualities and abilities which are essential. An LLW should be: a person of committed Christian faith; a person of prayer; a person with a desire to serve; a person who worships regularly at the parish church; a person who is respected by the congregation; a person who is ordering their life according to the teaching of the Church of England; a person who has the potential to lead public worship with confidence; a person able to minister under authority and be open to supervision and feedback; and a person who is willing to plan and lead services with others. Ideally although this may not always be possible two or more people from a parish should be chosen so that there is a sense of mutual support and collaboration in planning and leading worship. However, in some cases, especially in smaller parishes, this will prove difficult and is recommended, but not required. 6

5. The Training The quality of worship offered in our churches needs to be the best that it can be, primarily so that it is honouring to God, but also so that those who come to worship both regular worshippers and those who are less familiar with services are enabled to worship in Spirit and in truth and to encounter God. Training constitutes an important element in making this possible. The LLW Scheme provides for initial and further training. Initial training The initial training has three parts and includes introductory sessions covering some basic knowledge and skills relating to leading worship alongside integral opportunities to put what has been learnt into practice, and some reading to deepen reflection. The aim is that the LLW will be equipped and supported by the wider congregation as they prepare to take on the responsibility of exercising this public ministry. To this end, it is also hoped that the PCC will contribute financially to the LLW s costs for training, perhaps covering travel expenses or books required for the course. Throughout the training, the LLW will create a portfolio containing evidence of learning as described below. The relevant Reflections and other required forms will be sent by the LLW to the Parish Development Office during the training. Full details of the training will be sent to the prospective LLW and their parish priest after registration and prior to the start of the course. The following is an overview. Outline of initial training Part 1. The Six Sessions (usually run on two full Saturdays) Leading God s People in Worship: Principles and Practicalities a basic 5-session introduction to leading worship: 1. The nature of worship 2. Times of worship: the Christian year 3. The pattern of worship: the Service of the Word 4. Resources for worship: music, replacing the sermon, intercessions 5. Practicalities of worship: skills for leading services One additional session chosen from the following two options according to the LLW s needs. Both options will be available: o Leading All Age Worship o Leading Morning/Evening Prayer (BCP and CW) Written Reflections on each of the six sessions submitted to the PDO. Part 1 will also include an overview of the whole training including completion of the practical elements of part 2 and input on how to do theological reflection. Part 2. The Practical Elements Leading part or all of two services with Feedback forms completed by the parish priest and/or supervisor and members of the congregation. An LLW is not permitted to preach, although they may be called upon to replace the sermon using other approved material or, for example, testimonies or meditations. Thus it is highly recommended that they gain such experience during this phase of their training. A Guided Reflection on each of the services by the LLW. 7

The priest and other members of the congregation will debrief each service with the LLW. The Feedback forms and LLW s Guided Reflections from both services will be submitted to the PDO. It is recommended that the LLW will lead the first service after the first three sessions of part 1, and the second service after all six sessions have been completed. Part 3. The Reading Richard Giles, At Heaven s Gate: Reflections on Leading Worship (Canterbury Press, 2010) One other short book from a list of options Evidence of reading these books e.g. discussion with the parish priest/supervisor or a book review, and a signed form from the parish priest confirming that this has been completed will be submitted to the PDO. Further training There is, of course, always more to learn, and so training continues once the LLW is exercising their ministry. Some learning takes place through experience and reflection on it, which LLWs are asked to do with their appointed supervisor. There are Annual and Third Year Reviews which form part of this process. Some learning comes through additional courses which LLWs are encouraged to undertake to widen and deepen their knowledge and ability. The Equipping God s People programme offers a range of courses provided by a number of organisations, details of which can be found on the EGP page of the Diocesan website or from the PDO. Short courses arranged by the Diocese which may be available include: 1. Leading the intercessions 2. Leading seasonal services 3. Choosing hymns/music 4. Leading contemporary worship 5. Leading services in residential homes 6. Taking Communion to the housebound/residential homes (NB further permission from the Bishop is required for those offering this ministry) LLWs are also encouraged to continue to nurture their own faith and to go deeper into God. The Foundations in Living God s Love course is one way of doing this in groups in the parish, benefice or deanery. Many of the sessions in this course have direct relevance for those who are leading worship. 8

6. Becoming an LLW the first three years There are a number of stages to be completed before a person becomes an LLW. These are described below, and summarised on the flow chart. 1. The parish priest and PCC agree the need for one or more LLWs and agree whom to ask. In some circumstances a person may approach a parish priest or PCC requesting that they be trained as an LLW. In such a case, the parish priest and PCC should decide whether or not an LLW would be a useful resource for the parish. It is also important to recognise that simply because someone feels a sense of calling does not mean that they have a vocation to this ministry. However, if there is a sense of vocation, perhaps to ordained or Reader ministry, this calling should be explored further. It might be appropriate to approach a Diocesan Vocations Adviser. 2. The person is approached. Time should be made to explain what the role involves, both in terms of training and in ministry once formally recognised. 3. The person agrees and completes form A Request to train as an LLW and gives it to the parish priest. 4. The parish priest completes form B Parish request for an LLW and sends it, together with form A, to the Parish Development Officer (PDO). The PDO may consult with the relevant Archdeacon for approval of the application, and will contact the parish if there are any concerns. 5. The PDO contacts the parish and the nominated person with further details of training as required by the Scheme (see section 5 above). 6. Once all the initial training is complete, the record of training is submitted to the PDO, and the PDO informs the relevant suffragan bishop. (The PDO will also provide Bishop s Staff, the Council for Discipleship and Ministry and the Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee at least once a year with a list of current LLWs.) 7. The relevant suffragan bishop sends letters of permission valid for 3 years to the parish priest and the LLW specifying which parish(es) the LLW will be permitted to minister in. The parish priest/pcc may decide to recognise and affirm the beginning of the LLW s ministry with a short liturgy as part of a regular Sunday service. A sample model of such a liturgy is provided (see p.20 and on the diocesan website: http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/ministry/lay-leaders-worship/ and can be adapted for local use. 8. The new LLW is supervised and has Annual Reviews as required by the Scheme, and undertakes any further training as appropriate. Annual Reviews are sent to the PDO using form C. 9. At the end of 3 years, and subject to the Third Year Review being completed and the agreement of the parish priest and PCC, the parish priest submits form D Third Year Review - to the PDO, who forwards names to the relevant suffragan bishop. The Bishop sends a letter of permission to the parish priest. Form D is also completed and sent in if the Bishop s permission is not to be renewed. 9

Becoming an LLW the first three years: Flowchart LLW Parish Diocese Parish Priest & PCC agree need for one/more LLWs & agree whom to ask Person is approached YES Person agrees and completes Request to train as an LLW (Form A) NO Parish Priest completes Parish request for an LLW (Form B) and sends it with Form A to Parish Development Officer (PDO), who may consult the relevant Archdeacon/Bishop. The request is agreed/declined. PDO contacts the parish to inform them of the decision Person completes initial training and submits training portfolio to PDO NO YES PDO contacts the nominated person and the parish with further details of training PDO informs the relevant suffragan bishop that training completed The Parish Priest/PCC may decide to affirm the beginning of the LLW s ministry with a short liturgy as part of a regular Sunday Service The Bishop sends a letter of permission valid for 3 years to the Parish Priest and LLW. The LLW is supervised, including Annual Reviews (Form C). At the end of 3 years Parish Priest completes and sends Third Year Review (Form D) to the PDO Annual Reviews are sent to the PDO. PDO informs the relevant suffragan bishop if LLW seeking to continue to be LLW 10

7. After permission is granted: The first three years It is important, especially in the first three years, that the LLW have sufficient support and guidance as they begin to exercise what is a public and therefore for many a daunting ministry. To ensure this support and guidance is available, there are three aspects required: 1. The provision by the parish of a supervisor 2. Annual and Third Year Reviews 3. An LLW agreement The supervisor The parish is asked to provide to the PDO the name of someone who is willing and able to meet regularly with the LLW to offer support, encouragement and guidance. This person will usually be a member of the clergy or a Reader. Before a service they should be available to offer any guidance an LLW might need, especially regarding the material to be used in place of the sermon. Following a service, they should be able to offer constructive feedback and help the LLW to reflect theologically on the service. A Worship Leading Feedback form and the Guided Reflection form will be used during the initial training and these may continue to form part of the meetings. There is no requirement that meetings should take place after every service, but especially in the early months and depending on how often an LLW leads a service, meetings may be monthly and later become quarterly or at least twice a year. Responsibility for arranging meetings lies both with the LLW and the supervisor. Reviews At the end of the first and second years there is an Annual Review, which involves the LLW and the parish priest and the supervisor (if this is someone different). The purpose of these Reviews is to give all parties opportunity to reflect on how the LLW is developing and growing in confidence, and if necessary to identify whether further support would be welcomed or how any training needs can be met. They also offer a chance to consider practicalities, such as how often the LLW is leading worship and whether that is working for the LLW and for the parish. The LLW and the parish priest/supervisor are encouraged to make notes based on Form C LLW Annual Review - in advance of the Review meeting for their own use and to facilitate the discussions at the Review. Following the Annual Review, form C is completed, agreed by the LLW, parish priest (and supervisor where this is someone different) and sent in to the PDO by the parish priest. During the final three months of the third year there is a Third Year Review. This is similar to the Annual Reviews, but should also include two or three other parishioners as part of the Review. The key purposes of this Third Year Review are two-fold: 1. To review the LLW s ministry in order to decide whether or not to ask the Bishop to renew his permission for a further three years. If all parties agree that this is what should happen, the parish priest informs the PCC and completes and sends in form D to the PDO. As with the Annual Review, all those taking part in the Review are encouraged to make notes based on form D in advance of the Review. Form D is also completed and sent in if a renewal of permission is not to be sought. 11

2. For the LLW to have a specific opportunity to reflect on their vocation and whether God is calling them to a licensed ministry. This may be a separate discussion between the LLW and parish priest if appropriate. For those under 65 years of age there should be serious consideration about seeing a Diocesan Vocations Adviser to explore any calling to licensed ministry. LLW agreement If the LLW is leading worship on a regular and frequent basis, it can be helpful to have an LLW agreement which is agreed between the incumbent and LLW and shared with the PCC. This might clarify matters relating to the frequency of taking services, expectations of preparation, training and meeting of expenses. It is also good practice to ensure that an LLW exercises their ministry on occasion in the presence of a Reader or clergy. They should not only be used to cover for absences or in a vacancy. 12

8. Beyond the first three years The LLW should by this stage have sufficient confidence in leading worship and the parish should be able to offer appropriate support that there is no need for formal Annual Reviews. It is hoped that the practice of regular reflection by the LLW and ongoing, if occasional, meetings with the parish priest and supervisor will continue, and that the LLW will continue to take advantage of training opportunities as they arise. If an LLW agreement was in place, it should be reviewed, or a new agreement can be set up. Towards the end of each three year period, a Third Year Review should take place (see above) and form D should be submitted to the PDO seeking the Bishop s permission for a further three years for the LLW. 13

Lay Leaders of Worship FORM A: REQUEST TO TRAIN AS A LAY LEADER OF WORSHIP Details of the Applicant This form is to be completed by the individual applicant. It can be found on the Diocesan website: http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/ministry/lay-leaders-worship/ Full Name: Title (Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss/Dr etc): Postal Address: Postcode: Telephone No.: Email address: Parish/Benefice: Which two Saturday training dates would you like? Baptised: YES / NO Confirmed: YES / NO Length of time worshipping in this parish: In what ways have you contributed in the past to the leading of worship in your church? (e.g. leading intercessions, reading) What kind of services are you involved with? What would you like to achieve from this programme? Having read the handbook and discussed this role with my incumbent, I understand that I will be accountable to the Bishop of St. Albans and his successors and to the incumbent of the parish and in my leading of worship will be faithful to the witness of the Holy Scripture and the doctrines of the Church as the Church of England has inherited and expounded them, any permission granted to lead worship refers only to my own parish and will be reconsidered in 3 years time, and the training, supervision and on-going role as a Lay Leader of Worship requires significant commitment. Signed: Dated: Please return to your incumbent who will forward it to the Parish Development Office. If you have any queries please contact the Parish Development Office on 01727 818141 or pdadmin@stalbans.anglican.org. 14

Lay Leaders of Worship FORM B: PARISH REQUEST FOR A LAY LEADER OF WORSHIP Details of the Parish and Incumbent This form is to be completed by the incumbent. It can be found on the Diocesan website: http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/ministry/lay-leaders-worship/ Name of applicant: Name of incumbent: Name of parish/benefice: Church(es) (including Fresh Expressions) at which the person will be invited to lead: Types of service at which the person will be invited to lead: Who will supervise this person if not the incumbent? Evidence of the person s Christian experience and experience in contributing to the leading of worship (e.g. leading intercessions, reading): In your opinion does the candidate meet the criteria laid out in section 4 of the handbook? (If no, please give reasons) Date on which the PCC approved the resolution in support of this application: Is there anything else you wish the Bishop to know? Having read the handbook and discussed this role with my LLW applicant, I understand that the training, supervision and on-going role as a Lay Leader of Worship requires significant commitment. Signed (Incumbent): Dated: Please return this together with Form A to the Parish Development Office, Holywell Lodge, 41 Holywell Hill, St. Albans, AL1 1HE. If you have any queries please contact the Parish Development Office on 01727 818141 or pdadmin@stalbans.anglican.org. 15

Lay Leaders of Worship FORM C: LAY LEADER OF WORSHIP S ANNUAL REVIEW This form is to be completed and agreed by the individual Lay Leader of Worship and their incumbent following the Review. It can be found on the Diocesan website: http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/ministry/lay-leaders-worship/ Name of Lay Leader of Worship: Name of Incumbent: Name of parish/benefice: Date of Annual Review: 1. How have you been used over the last year as a Lay Leader of Worship? (e.g. frequency, types of service, role in the services) 2. What have been your main achievements and successes over the past year? (e.g. developed new skills, grown in confidence, tried something different) 3. Do you have any issues and concerns which need to be addressed in the coming year? (e.g. relating to training needs, communication, support, how role is being exercised) How will you seek to address them? 16

4. What goals do you have for the next 12 months? (e.g. training, develop new skills) Do you have any other comments about how the Lay Leaders of Worship scheme is working which you would like to make a record of? These may be useful to refer to during the year or at your next Review. Signed: (Lay Leader of Worship) Signed: (Incumbent) Signed: (Supervisor where different) Dated: Dated: Dated: Please complete and return to the Parish Development Officer: pdo@stalbans.anglican.org electronically or by post (see p2 of handbook for address). 17

Lay Leaders of Worship FORM D: LAY LEADER OF WORSHIP S THIRD YEAR REVIEW This form is to be completed and agreed by the individual Lay Leader of Worship and their incumbent following the Review. It can be found on the Diocesan website: http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/ministry/lay-leaders-worship/ Name of Lay Leader of Worship: Name of Incumbent: Name of parish/benefice: Date of Third Year Review: Date Bishop s permission expires: 1. How have you been used over the last 3 years as a Lay Leader of Worship? (e.g. frequency, types of service, role in the services) 2. What have been your main achievements and successes over the past 3 years? (e.g. developed new skills, grown in confidence, tried something different) 3. Would you like to seek the Bishop s permission to continue as an LLW? If yes, please complete the remaining questions. If no, please state why not and then sign and return the form to the Parish Development Officer. 18

4. Do you have any issues and concerns which need to be addressed in the next 3 years? (e.g. relating to training needs, communication, support, how role is being exercised) How will you seek to address them? 5. What goals do you have for the next 3-year period? (e.g. training, develop new skills) 6. Vocation. a) Do you sense a calling to a licensed ministry (ordained or Reader) and have you had the opportunity to discuss this with your parish priest? If yes, please answer (b) below. b) Are you under 65 years old? If yes, have you been in touch with a Diocesan Vocations Adviser? With what outcome? If the LLW and parish wish to renew the Bishop s permission for the LLW, please state the date on which this was agreed by the PCC. Date: Signed: (Lay Leader of Worship) Signed: (Incumbent) Signed: (Supervisor where different) Dated: Dated: Dated: Please complete and return to the Parish Development Officer: pdo@stalbans.anglican.org 19

Commissioning Liturgy For use when commissioning local Lay Leaders of Worship Introduction Many parishes are increasingly celebrating and recognising the gifts and ministries of all baptised people as we seek to Live God s Love in the church and the wider community. This liturgy has been designed for parishes or benefices wishing to commission people as local Lay Leaders of Worship (LLWs) who have completed the Diocesan training for LLWs and received a letter of permission from the relevant suffragan bishop. The expectation expressed in the liturgy is that those commissioned will actively seek to continue to grow in their faith, gifts and skills. The liturgy also affirms the calling of all baptised people to service and, while not wanting to devalue others ministries, offers a means of valuing and affirming an LLW s particular calling and role and praying for them in the context of public worship. The liturgy may be adapted for local use and circumstances, for example by indicating where appropriate that some training has been completed, or perhaps adding a blessing for those commissioned. The passage of Scripture could be omitted if it is felt that the service would otherwise be too long, although this sets the context of the varieties of ministries exercised by God s people. It is hoped that everyone can join in the Living God s Love prayer, but it could be said by the incumbent alone. The intention is for the liturgy to take place during a main act of worship on a Sunday, but where the liturgy is placed in a service is flexible: after the sermon, before the intercessions or the Peace at the Eucharist, or after the third collect at morning or evening prayer may be suitable places, but local circumstances will vary. The liturgy has been produced through the collaboration of the Diocesan Worship and Liturgical Committee and the Parish Development Officer. We hope that it will be a further resource for parishes as together we encourage one another in Christian discipleship. May 2014 20

Commissioning Liturgy Churchwarden: I ask you on behalf of this congregation to commission N for the work of Lay Leader(s) of Worship in this Parish. The Incumbent addresses the whole congregation. Incumbent: Incumbent: Congregation: Incumbent: Congregation: St Paul, writing to the Christians in Rome says, For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. (Romans 12: 4-8) People of God, Christ invites each of us to faithful discipleship and service. We are all called to different ministries as we seek to live God s love. As we commission these people today, will you, with them, and as baptised disciples of Christ, renew your commitment to the loving service of God, of one another and of all people? With the help of God, we will. These people have been called to the work of a Lay Leader of Worship in this Parish. Will you, as the people of God here in this place, support and pray for them in this ministry? With the help of God, we will. The Incumbent addresses those to be commissioned. Incumbent: Response: Incumbent: Response: Incumbent: Response: Incumbent: Congregation: N, do you believe that God has called you to this ministry? I/We do. Will you seek to lead worship prayerfully and in accordance with the teaching and instruction of the Church of England, in a spirit of mutual respect and collaboration with those who lead ministry in this place? With the help of God, I/we will. Will you seek to develop the faith, gifts and skills God has given you as you share in Christ s mission and ministry? With the help of God, I/we will. As Incumbent, I commission you as a Lay Leader of Worship in this Parish, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. May God grant you grace, wisdom and joy as you live out this calling. Amen. The Living God s Love prayer is said: Living God, draw us deeper into your love; Jesus our Lord, send us to care and serve; Holy Spirit, make us heralds of good news. Stir us, strengthen us, teach and inspire us to live your love with generosity and joy, imagination and courage; for the sake of your world and in the name of Jesus, Amen. 21