Lay Preacher

A lay person licensed by the bishop to preach. This ministry is licensed under the provisions of the canon for licensed lay persons. The lay preacher must be a confirmed adult communicant in good standing, and recommended by the member of the clergy in charge of the congregation. Guidelines for training and selection of lay preachers are established by the bishop. A lay preacher is to be trained, examined, and found competent in the Holy Scriptures, the BCP and The Hymnal, the conduct of public worship, use of the voice, church history, Christian ethics and moral theology, the church's doctrine as set forth in the creeds and An Outline of the Faith (BCP, pp. 845-862), appropriate canons, pastoral care, and homiletics. A licensed lay preacher is to preach only upon the initiative and under the supervision of the member of the clergy in charge. Lay preachers may be commissioned for this ministry with a form adapted from the Commissioning for Lay Ministries in the Church in the BOS.