Exploring Lay Ministry
What is Lay Ministry?
You may already be fulfilling your lay ministry in your work life. The diocese recognises that this work is building God’s Kingdom. You may also feel called to work within the Church. Lay ministry within the Church includes a huge variety of types of ministry: youth and children’s work, ministry with older people, visiting people at home, supporting those preparing for baptism or marriage, running Bible study groups, welcoming newcomers to church, mission and evangelism… In fact, the list is as endless as the passions and skills of the people fulfilling this work.
If you are already offering your time and skills to contribute to the Kingdom in any way, you are already doing lay ministry! However, many people feel a sense of calling to do something more, or something different, and need some guidance to discern what this might be.
What should I do next?
Hannah Mears, Vocations Development Officer
If there is a role within the Church, or a need within your community, that you think you have a calling towards, talk to a church leader.
If you need some help deciding what your calling to lay ministry might be, and would value the opportunity to talk this over with a vocations adviser, email Hannah or call 01392 294923. Hannah will put you in contact with a Vocations Adviser in your area.
Exploring Vocations Days
Throughout the year Hannah runs Exploring Vocation days – see events page or contact Hannah for more details.
Grow Learning Courses
Grow is an exciting new series of courses designed to enable people to grow in their faith and service to God and the church. Each course equips us to better serve in the area we feel called to, whether that be in leading worship, offering administrative support, pastoral care, digital mission, sharing our faith and much more. Find out more.
Anna Chaplaincy
Anna Chaplaincy is a ministry undertaken by volunteers in communities to provide support to older people in their own homes, sheltered housing or care homes. Anna chaplains are named after Anna, the prophetess, in the Bible (Luke 2). Find out more about Anna Chaplaincy here.
Foundations in Christian Ministry Course
Foundations in Christian Ministry is a year-long course (run over seven Saturdays) for anyone who would like to learn about the Bible in more depth, explore different ways of worshipping and find out how you can make a difference in your church and local community. It is a great way to connect with other Christians from across Devon. It takes place on Saturdays once a month and involves as much or as little personal study as you can manage.
Peter Burren (see below) lives in Littleham, Exmouth and attends the Parish Church of St Margaret and St Andrew. Here he talks about why he decided to do the SWMTC Foundations in Ministry course, and what he has got out of the experience.
Mike Jefferies lives in Tavistock. He and his wife Annie completed the SWMTC Foundations in Ministry course in 2016. Here, he talks about the experience and what the course has given him.
Bereavement Care: please email jenny.beesley@exeter.anglican.org for further details. Late Autumn 2021. In person training. Requires Grow course in Pastoral Care.
Creating Space: THE PASTORAL ENCOUNTER: run by The NHS Chaplaincy Team, Derriford Hospital. Five sessions. Cost: £50. Please email derriford.chaplaincy@nhs.net for further details.
Preaching: please email jenny.beesley@exeter.anglican.org for further details. Summer 2022. Five sessions.
For more details on the ministry of Lay Readership, visit the Exploring Reader Ministry page.
You may feel called to assist with the distribution of Communion. Details of the 2016 Diocesan Regulations for Eucharistic Assistants, the new regulation which allow children to assist, can be downloaded here.
