Is this a ministry for you to explore?
You may feel called to this ministry if you are:
- Prayerful and attentive to God’s guidance
- Deeply rooted in Scripture and eager to share its message
- Willing to devote time to study, reflection, and preparation for preaching
- Comfortable speaking in front of a congregation and able to communicate clearly
- Humble in your approach—pointing others to God, not yourself
- Committed to ongoing support for your ministry
- Authentic in your faith and how you express it
- Open to learning and using relevant tools and technologies to support your ministry
God calls people from many different walks of life to serve as Local Preachers. This is a voluntary, part-time ministry. While it involves a regular commitment of time and preparation, the role is designed to be flexible and adaptable to your personal circumstances.
As a Local Preacher, you serve on behalf of the Church under the guidance of your incumbent and with the agreement of the PCC. You may be invited to preach in different styles of worship and in a variety of settings, helping to build up the faith and understanding of your local community. You will be safely recruited following safeguarding guidelines.
Who to contact
Working out a calling is about listening attentively to God and reflecting with others.
If what you have read is making sense for you – you are feeling nudged to this ministry – then have a conversation with your Incumbent: you may find they are already thinking about how people can get involved. We want Lay Ministers to feel properly equipped for this significant role.
Your incumbent will need to contact the Training team for information and resources.
Safeguarding notice
All those who go on to exercise ministry on behalf of the church are safely recruited following DBS checks and safeguarding training.