9. Training process

(Up-dated February 9, 2004)

9.1       Who does it?

1)       Incumbents are responsible for the selection, training, covenanting, and commissioning of lay readers under the general oversight of the Bishop of Algoma.

2)     Incumbents may wish to cooperate in clusters or deaneries to provide training.

3)    An annual Lay Readers' Conference supplements this training under the direction of the Warden of Lay Readers.

4)   Each deanery has a Deanery Warden of Lay Readers who will initiate planning for ongoing training and enrichment opportunities.

5)    Those in training as Lay Readers (Parochial or Diocesan) should be used at the Incumbent's discretion to fulfill Lay Reader's duties in the parish under his/her supervision.

9.2       Basic Standards:

Training for commissioned lay readers should have both study and practical components.  This could be done in a course format or a book study with questions, responses, and discussion.

 

9.3        Study Components: The study components should provide an overview of:

1)    Scripture

2)    Worship

3)    Church History

4)    Doctrine

9.4      Practical Studies: These sessions should focus on:

1)      Practice of the conduct of worship.

2)    Practice of the reading of Scripture.

3)     Gaining familiarity with worship resources, the lectionary, and the calendar.

4)    Developing an area of service and mission beyond public worship.


9.5       Resources:

1)   The Diocese of Algoma Lay Readers' Course, Phase 1, 2, and 3, provides a course outline that balances study and practice.  It has helpful suggestions for additional reading that has been compiled by the Warden of Lay Readers, Dr. David Gould, with the help of others.  It is available from the Warden of Lay Readers or through the deanery wardens.

2)   The Church's Teaching series of the Episcopal Church has been an invaluable resource down through the years.  It is published by Seabury Press.  The series has been published three times with different titles.  The oldest version is out-dated but the presentation is clear and direct.  Newer titles are less straight-forward but also helpful and more up-to-date.  Each series has six or more titles.  Below is a schedule of the titles that pertain to the four basic subject areas above.

9.6   Schedule of Titles:

Subject Series One Series Two Series Three
An overview of the Scriptures The Holy Scriptures
- Robert C. Dentan		 The Bible for Today’s Church
- Robert A. Bennett
- Robert A. Bennett
- O.C. Edwards		 Opening the Bible
- Roger Ferlo
An overview of
Worship		 The Worship of the Church
- Massey A. Shepherd Jr.		 Liturgy for Living
- Charles P. Price
- Louis Weil		 A Theology of Worship
- Louis Weil
An overview of
Church History		 Chapters in Church History
- Paulose Mills Dawley		 The Church in History
- John E. Booty		 Living with History
- Fredrica Harris Thompsett
An overview of
Doctrine		 The Faith of the Church
- James A. Pyke
- W. Norman Pittenger		 Understanding the Faith of the Church
- Richard A. Norris		 Mysteries of Faith
- Mark McIntosh

 

9.7    Diocesan Lay Readers shall have either obtained the A.Th. Diploma from Thorneloe University, an equivalent Diploma from another University or training centre, or have completed the following courses in the A.Th. Diploma study program (or equivalent):

       Old Testament

       New Testament

       Basic Christian Doctrine

       Anglicanism

       Liturgy

       Early Church History

9.8    All Lay Readers in the Diocese are expected and encouraged to actively participate in Diocesan and Deanery sponsored events in order that they may keep abreast of current concerns and maintain a high standard of training for Lay Ministry throughout the Diocese.

 

 

Feb 9/04  ©2004 Diocese of Algoma