Lay Ministry Licences
The Bishop issues two groups of licences to authorise and recognise lay ministry within the Diocese of Newcastle.
General Lay Ministry Licences
The following licences are available to lay leaders in all parishes of the Diocese:
Ministry of administering the Chalice in the presence of a priest at Holy Communion services in the parish.
Ministry of leading a Service of the Word according to an authorised rite in the parish in the absence of a priest, and/or taking the Reserved Sacrament to this sick and elderly in their homes in the parish in the absence of a priest, and/or additional ministries as agreed.
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Authority to Preach in the Local Congregation
Ministry of preaching in a local congregation.
Process for Applying for a General Lay Ministry Licence for the First Time, or for a Licence to be Renewed.
Each of the three general lay ministry licences are issued for an initial period of three years. Licences may be renewed for further periods of three years.
Applicants for a licence or for the renewal of a licence should complete the following:
Lay Ministry Application Form
Diocesan Safe Ministry Disclosure Form
Lay Ministry Working with Children Check
Further details about the safe ministry forms, including the process for their submission and the accompanying proof of identification that is required, are available in the Safe Ministry Process Guidelines document. The application form and safe ministry forms must be completed every three years when a licence is being renewed.
Please Note
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Holders of a Lay Liturgical Assistant licence do not also need a Chalice Assistant licence.
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Applicants for Authority to Preach in the Local Congregation must have completed the Bishop’s Certificate in Theology for Ministry or an equivalent qualification.
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Applications must be supported by a nomination from the Church Wardens and from the Parish Priest. These nominations must be completed on the application form.
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In 2011 the five year cycle of general lay ministry licences was replaced by a new three year cycle. Holders of licences seeking the renewal of a licence will be issued with a new licence for an initial period of three years.
Licences for Leaders within a Parish Ministry Team
Parishes that have made a commitment to the vision of Becoming Ministering Communities in Mission and have developed a Parish Ministry Team through a recognised parish discernment process may request the Bishop to appoint lay leaders to the team through the following licences:
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Interim Authorised Lay Minister
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Authorised Lay Minister
Further details about the process for applying for these licences is available on request.
First Point of Contact
Fr David John Battrick, the Diocesan Ministry Development Officer, is responsible for overseeing lay ministry licences within the Diocese.
You can contact Fr Battrick via his Administrative Assistant, Emma Haining at: emmahaining@newcastleanglican.org.au or on (02) 4926 3733.