School for Ministry Pastoral Leader Training 2025-2026

Pastoral Leader Training consists of 10 sessions and will be held online on the following dates (except where “in person” is noted):

2025
May 28
June 14 (in person)
June 18
August 23
September 27
October 25
November 22

2026
January 17
February 21 (in person)
March 14
May 16

Pastoral Leader training is designed for lay ministers who are called to assist their clergy person in providing pastoral and spiritual leadership in their congregation. The ministry of the Pastoral Leader, at the direction of clergy, is to help assess the concerns and needs of parishioners and identify ways to help and support them. This may include traditional pastoral care (such as hospital visits, home visits, etc.) as well as helping parishioners connect with and participate in ministries of the parish. In congregations without clergy, Pastoral Leaders serve under the supervision of the Wardens and Vestry.

Pastoral Leader training includes Worship Leader training and Preacher training so that they can step into those roles. It is also expected that they will be able to serve as Eucharistic Visitors, which is trained at the parish level currently.

In addition to this training, licensing as a Pastoral Leader requires submitting an application and verifying that they are Confirmed Communicants in Good Standing (Confirmed members who attend worship and give regularly) of a congregation in the Diocese of Newark. Pastoral Leaders must complete the Safe Church, Safe Communities Training, which can be completed online. A background check, at the expense of the Bishop’s Office, will also be required to be licensed for this ministry.

Deadline:
Monday, May 19, 2025, 5 PM

Wardens or Clergy: Please use this form to register participants for Worship Leader training.