|
|
|
Convener: Mrs Carol Dixon (National Lay Preaching Commissioner) Secretary: Mrs Judith Johnson Mr Hugh Barlow, Dr Berta Doodson, Mr Les Phillips, Mr Phil Theaker 1 Lay Preaching Strategy 1.1 The major piece of work undertaken by the Lay Preaching Support Sub-Committee during the past year has been the Lay Preaching Strategy document which is appended to Resolution 35. 1.2 The Strategy has come out of the results of the Lay Preaching Survey in 2001. There was an excellent response to the questionnaire and almost 80% of districts responded. The data was processed by Camilla Dixon, a PhD student at St Andrews University and the Support Sub-Committee was most grateful to her for her thorough evaluation and to Mrs Judith Johnson, the Administrator for Ministries Committee for assisting with the extra work.
2 Annual Consultations 2.1 The residential Lay Preaching Commissioners' Consultation took place on 16-18 June 2001 at Hinsley Hall, Leeds. The Revd Bill Mahood, Assembly Moderator, addressed the issues of lifelong learning and integrated ministry (ministers and lay preachers working in partnership). Throughout his moderatorial year Bill supported and affirmed the work of lay preachers, meeting lay preachers' groups in many districts and the Sub-Committee expressed their gratitude for his encouragement. 2.2 The main subject under discussion during the weekend was the delivery of 'Affirming Gifts and Encouraging Growth Ð Self Reflection for lay preachers' which has been compiled to help lay preachers reflect on their current ministry and identify areas where they might benefit from further development or training. As a result Guidelines were produced and sent to the Commissioners for comment at this year's Consultation. It is hoped that the Self Reflection will be implemented as widely as possible in the coming year. 2.3 The speaker at the Consultation held in London on 15 June 2002 was the Revd Dr David Cornick, General Secretary who took as his theme 'Poetry, prophecy and preaching: the task of the preacher' and led a Bible study entitled 'Jeremiah, the spirituality of the preacher.' 2.4 A further residential consultation is planned for 2003, when it is expected that some of the Synod Moderators will share in leading the conference.
3 Publications 3.1 Various booklets were published during 2000 and 2001: 3.2 The District Commissioners Job Description 'Lay Preaching Commissioner.... Who? Me?!!!' was circulated to District/Area Secretaries and Commissioners to help District /Area Councils when finding a new commissioner. 3.3 'Towards best practice - guidelines for when visitors conduct worship' was sent out to each church secretary and copies are available from Ministries or the bookshop at Church House. 3.4 'Guidelines for District Recognition of Lay Preachers' was compiled to 'tidy up' existing procedures and suggest good practice for the future. It was sent to District Commissioners, District Secretaries and Synod Ministries Committees, asking for their support in compiling lists of lay preachers who are not Nationally Accredited but whose ministry is recognised within a particular District. 3.5 The Lay Preaching Recruitment pack Ð in the 'Could this be You?' series - was launched at FURY Assembly 2001 by the Assembly Moderator and the National Lay Preaching Commissioner and a copy sent to each church. They are available from Ministries or the bookshop at Church House
4 Committee representation 4.1 The Lay Preaching Support Sub-Committee is a sub-committee of Ministries Committee and over the past four years has included representatives from Training Committee, TLS Management, and Doctrine, Prayer and Worship Committees. The four Lay Preachers who have served on the Support Committee are from South Western Synod, East Midlands Synod, Mersey Synod and the Synod of Scotland and the other members are drawn from Northern, Eastern, Wessex, West Midlands and Southern Synods. 4.2 Two of our members serve ecumenically, representing the United Reformed Church at the Joint Readers and Lay Preachers Committee and the College of Preachers Executive Committee. |
|