What is the role of the incumbent?
Role of the incumbent – the five stages explained
The Incumbent plays a central and sustained role in supporting those exploring and exercising Lay Ministry. Their involvement ensures that the process of discernment, equipping, and commissioning is rooted in pastoral care, spiritual reflection, and appropriate oversight within the local church context.
1. Initial conversations and discernment
- Foster a prayerful and open environment in which calling can be tested and affirmed.
- Identify and encourage individuals who may have a calling and gifts suitable for Lay Ministry.
- Support early conversations around vocation, exploring possible areas of ministry.
- Use the Ministry Checklist with the participant to discuss existing gifts, skills, and areas for development.
- Help determine the most suitable equipping pathway - there are three: course, session, or apprenticeship.
2. Equipping pathway
- Work with the participant (and a mentor, where appropriate) to plan and oversee their equipping journey.
- Provide pastoral and spiritual support throughout the training process.
- Ensure that the chosen pathway reflects both the individual’s learning needs and the local ministry context.
- Encourage reflection, growth, and balance between study, prayer, and practical experience.
3. Discernment Review
- Meet regularly with the participant to review progress using the Ministry Checklist.
- Support the participant in discerning readiness for ministry and guide them through any assessment process.
- Confirm that the necessary requirements for commendation and registration are met, including:
- PCC approval
- Safeguarding and safer recruitment compliance
- Completion of DBS checks and relevant training
- Endorse and commend the participant’s readiness for formal recognition through commissioning.
4. Commissioning
- Participate in, or help organise, the commissioning service within the benefice or deanery.
- Publicly celebrate and welcome the new Lay Minister into the life and ministry of the parish.
- Encourage the congregation to affirm and support the newly commissioned minister.
5. Living out ministry
- Offer ongoing pastoral care, supervision, and encouragement as the Lay Minister continues their journey.
- Support participation in local peer networks and diocesan development opportunities.
- Use the Ministry Checklist or similar tools for regular reflection and review ensuring the participant renews their commendation every three years.
- Ensure continuity and support for Lay Ministers during times of parish transition or vacancy.
The incumbent serves as pastoral leader, mentor, and overseer - accompanying individuals from initial discernment through to ongoing ministry. They help to:
- Discern and affirm a person’s call to ministry.
- Guide and support their equipping and formation.
- Oversee readiness for service.
- Celebrate and sustain their ministry within the life of the Church.
If you are a lay person
Talking about Lay Ministry
If you are feeling called to a Lay Ministry, then contact your local Incumbent at your parish/benefice. If your parish/benefice is in vacancy, then contact the Area Dean. Please note that you cannot sign up for Lay Ministry training unless you have the agreement of the incumbent/Area Dean.
If you are an incumbent
Facilitating or sending on a course
If you are interested in facilitating a course yourself, contact the Ministry Training team training@bathwells.anglican.org.
If you want to send someone on a Lay Ministry course run by the diocese, direct them to the Equipping for Ministry page on the diocesan website. There they will find dates of forthcoming courses.
Safeguarding notice
All those who go on to exercise ministry on behalf of the church are safely recruited following DBS checks and safeguarding training.