Lay Ministry
The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4.11–13
A couple of months ago I bumped into someone from St Stephen’s when I was on my way home from work. They asked me where I’d been and I’d said I was coming home from my office in Canary Wharf. They were surprised, because they thought I was employed by the church.
I explained that I have a full-time secular job, and that I volunteer at the church after being accepted to train for two years to be a licensed lay minister. It is a parish-based ministry, and we are people who are licensed to preach and teach.
Lay ministry in the Church of England is about serving God, and others, outside of ordained roles. There are different roles and routes to achieving them. They include pastoral care, leading worship, preaching, and community outreach.
Lay ministers come from all walks of life and use their everyday skills to live out their faith in practical ways. Through training and support, lay ministers help build up the church and share God’s love in their communities. It’s a vital and growing part of church life today.
You can read more about lay ministry on the diocese of Southwark here:
Lay ministries – The Diocese of Southwark
Susan Patterson
20 July 2025
