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To discover that Christ is risen, alive and in relationship with us; to discover that God still speaks and acts and loves us and all Creation, is the beginning of vocation. That is to say, the vocation we receive in baptism is our responsive, embodied “yes!” to God lived out in loving relationship to God and our neighbours, for the life of the world.

Exploring Your Call to Ministry

The Anglican Diocese of Kootenay offers a process of discernment, training, and licensing for lay people who are being called to specific ministries for the building up of God’s kingdom on earth. Training and licensing is available for the following ministries:

  • Leading public worship in Morning and Evening Prayer, including the reading of sermons or homilies authorized by the incumbent priest or Bishop
  • Leading services with Reserved Sacrament in hospitals, nursing and care homes, and home communions
  • Preaching in public worship
  • Laying-on of hands and anointing sick or distressed persons
  • Under exceptional circumstances, the Bishop may license Lay Ministers to publicly distribute Holy Communion according to rites authorized by the Diocesan Bishop.
Discerning God’s call to Licensed Lay Ministry
The following are the first steps in the process towards discerning your call to Licensed Lay Ministry
  • Typically, those interested in pursuing Licensed Lay Ministry meet with and discuss their interest with the Incumbent Priest and/or Wardens
  • After this initial conversation, and if you still want to proceed, the Priest and Wardens will discuss the possibility of supporting the application with Parish Council
  • If Council deems that the congregation can support the application, you next meet with the Diocesan Bishop 
Training for Ministry

Certain aspects of Licensed Lay Ministry require the successful completion of specific training and theological study approved by the Bishop. 

You can begin your studies even before indicating interest in becoming a Licensed Lay Minister. A great place to start is to register for Education for Ministry.

To find out more about this and other courses in biblical study, theology, or pastoral care, you can contact the Rev. Douglas Lewis (kmf@kootenay.info), coordinator of the Diocese of Kootenay's Ministry Formation program.