Lay Ministry: Licenses and CERTIFICATIONS
The following lay ministries require licensure by the Canons of The Episcopal Church (III.4.3-9)
- Pastoral Leader
- Worship Leader
- Preacher
- Eucharistic Minister (LEM)
- Eucharistic Visitor (LEV)
- Catechist
- Evangelist
Licenses for lay ministers may be obtained by Heads of Congregation once a person has met the requirements for the license. The diocese also offers micro-certifications for non-licensed lay ministries.
General Licensing Instructions
Lay licenses are issued for the institution requesting the license only and are not transferable to any other institution within or outside the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, unless given special permission from the Bishop.
The Head of Congregation is responsible for requesting all lay licenses. In certain instances, this may include: Dean or Head of School (or their delegate).
All candidates for licensure must be: “A confirmed communicant in good standing or, in extraordinary circumstances, subject to guidelines established by the Bishop, a communicant in good standing, may be licensed,” (C&C III.4) and must complete all other requirements for a given license as required by the Bishop.
- All applications for licensing may be submitted here.
- All licensed Lay Ministers MUST maintain active Safeguarding certification.
- To verify or renew your safeguarding certification, please contact your church’s Safeguarding Records Administrator
For full details, view Clergy Manual HERE
For questions, email laylicense@epicenter.org
Renewal of Licensing
All lay licenses expire after three (3) years and must be renewed. During any transition of HOC, licenses immediately expire and must be renewed. Renewals must be completed by HOC.
The Head of Congregation is responsible for requesting renewals of all lay licenses. In certain instances, this may include: Dean or Head of School (or their delegate).
When renewing a license, please consider the following: “In renewing the license, the Ecclesiastical Authority shall consider the performance of the ministry by the person licensed, continuing education in the licensed area, and the endorsement of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith in which the person is serving.” (C&C III.4)
For full details, view Clergy Manual HERE
For questions, email laylicense@epicenter.org
Licensing Requirements
Eucharistic Minister (LEM) and/or a Eucharistic Visitor (LEV)
Lay licenses for those persons who feel called to become a Eucharistic Minister (LEM) and/or a Eucharistic Visitor (LEV) may be requested by Head of Congregation/Dean/Head of School (or their delegate) after completing the online Micro-Course training
- Online LEM and LEV training in English or in Spanish may be found here
- Once the online training plus practice with Head of Congregation/Dean/Head of School (or their delegate) is complete, this application form may be completed and submitted by the HOC.
- Once approved by the Canon for Formation’s office, the license request will then be submitted for processing within the Diocese.
Worship Leader, Preacher, Catechist, and/or Evangelist
Lay licenses for those persons who feel called to become a Worship Leader, Preacher, Catechist, and/or Evangelist can be requested after completing the respective 1-year certificate course through the Iona School for Ministry. The Iona School has certificates for Worship Leaders, Formation Leaders (coming soon), Preaching (English and Spanish), and Missional Leaders.
- Before applying to the Iona School for Ministry, each lay person should discern their calling with their Head of Congregation.
- If discernment affirms a path forward for licensing and obtaining the respective Iona certificate, then the Head of Congregation may submit a request for licensing using this application form after the Iona certificate is complete.
- Worship Leaders and Preachers must be sponsored by a Head of Congregation.
- Missional Communities may seek requests for licensing as well as sponsorship from their Head of Congregation.
- Once approved by the respective Canon’s office, the license request will then be submitted for processing within the Diocese.
Micro-Certifications: Additional Resources to Equip and Empower Lay Leadership
For those congregations who have lay leadership regularly leading during Sunday Morning Worship, these micro-certifications are alternate options to licensing. These micro-certifications ARE NOT the same as licensing and do not replace licensing.
Micro-certifications must be renewed annually, which includes going through the online micro-course again.
These micro-certifications are intended to function as additional resources to equip and empower lay leadership within the congregation by enhancing the ministry of any lay person who feels called to assist occasionally on an as needed basis with leading the Daily Office during Worship and/or the Proclamation of the Word during Worship. (Note: Proclamation of the Word is preaching an approved sermon written by a clergy person)
For a lay person who feels called to lead Morning or Evening prayer during Sunday Worship and/or for a lay person who feels called to preach an approved sermon written by a clergy person in front of their congregation on an occasional, as needed basis, the following guidelines for a micro-certification are as follows:
- If any lay person feels called to pursue one, or both, of these micro-certifications, the Head of Congregation should discern with them what that means for themselves and for the congregation
- Complete the online micro-course training HERE
- Once the micro-course and practice with HOC and/or with the congregation is complete, then the HOC may complete and submit this form.
