EDSD: » Lay Licensing

Lay licensing is the process by which the Bishop grants formal and official permission to individuals who are not ordained to carry out certain ministerial acts in accordance with the Canons of The Episcopal Church (III.4.1-9).

Pastoral Leader
Worship Leader
Preacher
Eucharistic Minister
Eucharistic Visitor

A Eucharistic Visitor is a lay person authorized to take the Consecrated Elements in a timely manner following a Celebration of Holy Eucharist to members of the congregation who, by reason of illness or infirmity, were unable to be present at the Celebration. A Eucharistic Visitor should normally act under the direction of a Deacon, if any, or otherwise, the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.
Catechist
Evangelist

An Evangelist is a lay person who presents the good news of Jesus Christ in such a way that people are led to receive Christ as Savior and follow Christ as Lord in the fellowship of the Church. An Evangelist assists with the community’s ministry of evangelism in partnership with the Presbyter or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation, or as directed by the Bishop.

Download a physical form HERE

Lay Licensing Requirements

To be licensed, an individual is nominated by their head of congregation and vestry or bishop’s committee. The head of congregation is typically the rector, vicar, or priest-in-charge. If a congregation is in transition and does not currently have clergy in charge, the senior warden or bishop’s warden would sign as head of congregation.

A nominee will be expected to be a confirmed member of the Episcopal Church in good standing, pass a background check, complete Safeguarding God’s People online training, complete Sacred Ground training (w/in 6 months of licensing), and demonstration of the qualifications and proficiency requisite to the task of the license nominated for.

If you have not completed Safeguarding God’s Children and would like to, click HERE to register and complete the online training.

If you have not completed Sacred Ground training and would like to, click HERE to find the next available training—you will have 6 months to start Sacred Ground.

Licenses must be renewed every three years and licenses are only applicable within the boundaries of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego.

Lay Licensing Process

A nomination is completed by submitting the nomination form below along with a letter from the head of congregation on the suitability of the candidate. The letter should demonstrate both request qualifications and proficiencies:

Qualifications by License

Proficiencies by License

The letter may also include confirmation of appropriate formation through an accredited college, university, seminary, EfM or equivalent institution:

* Completion of EfM years One and Two, or completion of 4 semester-long courses in New and Old Testament
** Completion of EfM years Three, and Four, or completion of a 4 semester courses in Church History and Theology
*** Completion of EfM mentor training, or completion of a half-semester course on teaching and/or group facilitation on methods of catechesis

Download a physical form HERE

Lay Licensee Commissioning

After the Bishop has certified the licensing of a lay person, it is strongly encouraged that the nominating congregation commission the licensee during Sunday worship. There are several liturgies that can be amended based upon the available time in your services.

Extended: Beginning on p. 225 of the Book Occasional Services (2018) there are liturgies that may be amended.

Moderate: The Episcopal Diocese of Maine has created a liturgy for the licensing of lay persons.

Shorter: The Bishop’s revival visitation includes a Commissioning Prayer & Blessing that may be amended.

Shortest: In the Book of Common Prayer, “A Form of Commitment to Christian Service” found on p. 420-421 may also be amended.

Questions?

Contact Canon Jason Evans

(619) 481-5451 jevans@edsd.org