The licensing procedures for our diocese are in compliance with General Convention of the Episcopal Church. The canonical requirements for liturgical leaders are set out in Title III, Canon 4 of the canons of The Episcopal Church, adopted in 2024.
All licensed lay ministries require that the minister be a Confirmed Communicant in Good Standing in the Episcopal Church. This means someone who is a Member of the Episcopal Church who has been Confirmed or Received and who has “for the previous year…been faithful in corporate worship, unless for good cause prevented, and [has] been faithful in working, praying, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God” (Title I, Canon 17.3). This status is verified by the endorsement of the Rector or Priest-in-Charge (or Warden, in the absence of clergy-in-charge).
Training for Worship Leader, Preacher, and Pastoral Leader are primarily provided through the School for Ministry. Eucharistic Minister and Eucharistic Visitor training in most cases is provided on the parish level.
Applications
Each of these roles have some courses in Safe Church, Safe Communities, in additiohttps://dioceseofnewark.org/core/wp-includes/images/media/don to the specific training for these ministries. Applicants must have completed Safe Church, Safe Communities training within the last five (5) years.
Please include a certificate of completion for this training with the application or contact Randy Johnson to arrange online training.
Complete and email applications to Randy Johnson or mail to: Diocese of Newark, Attn: Randy Johnson, PO Box 386, Livingston NJ 07039-0386.
