Equipping God's people in Discipleship and Ministry

All Christian people have a calling from God to know and love him more, and to serve others in his name.

Through a range of learning opportunities, we seek to equip people in their faith and ministry development, to fulfill their calling to Christian discipleship and mission.

Rochester has for many years had three forms of licensed or authorised lay ministry:

• Readers
• Pastoral Assistants
• Evangelists

Our Diocese is recognised nationally as a leader in lay vocation, particularly for our creative approach to the development and training of unique form of lay ministry to our Diocese: Licensed Lay Ministers.

We have pioneered opportunities in Anna Chaplaincy, which has a special focus on those who have dementia and other end of life issues.

PREPARING FOR MINISTRY

For anyone thinking about how they can use their gifts in the service of God, an It's Your Calling is a great opportunity to explore what might be possible.

These days are run throughout the year and are open to anyone who feels God’s call on their life to discover who they are in him and what he might be calling them to do.

Someone may be challenged to try something new, or be confirmed in their current areas of ministry.

Vocations advisers work with individuals who are exploring the way in which God may be calling them into a specific area of ministry. Click here to find out more.

A person may feel called to some sort of outreach and or community mission work. Read about our Community Engagement work here.

Anyone interested in attending should speak to their local clergy first who will help them book onto a day. 

COURSES AVAILABLE IN THEOLOGY AND MINISTRY

• Bishop's Certificate

The Bishop’s Certificate is a diocesan course that offers a foundation in Christian Ministry. It equips people for active discipleship and effective ministry.

It is a two stage programme, designed in line with similar programmes which are validated by higher education institutions at levels 4 and 5, for those wishing to critique and further their understanding of their Christian faith, discipleship and calling, as well as for those who intend to candidate for Licensed Lay Ministry.

• Read more here about the experience of students who have received the Bishop's Certificate

The first stage of the programme - Certificate in Christian Ministry - is open to anyone who has attended an It's Your Calling day and who:

• has an active involvement in their local church,
• or offers a distinctive Christian perspective in another setting, 
• and, who wishes to gain knowledge and skills to give a firm foundation to their Christian life and service. 

It also gives people the opportunity to explore other areas of ministry under the guidance of their parish priest.

• Licensed Lay Ministry

The second stage of the programme – Licensed Lay Ministry – is open to those who are recommended and selected for training as Licensed Lay Ministers. 

Find out more about Licensed Lay Ministry here

Programme aims

The purpose of these programme is to enable and equip participants to:

• Develop understanding of mission and ministry through theological study and practical experience
• Undertake structured ministerial experience to acquire and develop a range of skills
• Integrate the academic study of theology and ministry with pastoral and missiological practice
• Communicate the Christian faith through word and action, within an understanding of various models of mission and their context
• Grow in self awareness and appreciate diverse expressions of ministry as the outworking of the Christian life
• Clarify their vocation and identify their calling to specific expressions of ministry
• Establish the practice of theological reflection in relation to their experiences in ministry
• Develop in their prayer lives and spiritual formation

MORE INFORMATION AND CONTACTS

Our downloadable leaflets aim to help you explore the different paths available to help you live out your vocation.

Is God Calling You
Lay Ministry
Ordained Ministry

If you would like to talk through any of the discipleship and ministry development options available, please contact: vocations@rochester.anglican.org