Lay Licensing Training Frequently Asked Questions

If you don’t see your question here, direct it to lallport@bloyhouse.org, and we’ll update the FAQs.

Some Lay Eucharistic Ministers were licensed before. Do they need to be re-licensed?

Yes. We are asking all previously licensed lay ministers to go through the application process to establish their license as of this year. After that, they will be required to renew their license every three years.

I am not yet confirmed. Can I still be licensed?

One will need to be confirmed to complete their licensing process; according to the canons: “A confirmed communicant in good standing or, in extraordinary circumstances, subject to guidelines established by the Bishop, a communicant in good standing, may be licensed…”  At the priest’s discretion, they may continue to serve in their ministry, complete all other requirements, and be confirmed when it becomes possible. At that time, they can complete their licensing application.

At our church, the priest usually calls lay people up from the congregation to serve the chalice during Eucharist. Do they need to be licensed?

The deciding factor for licensing and all that it entails is whether the person vests, processes, and serves on the altar. A vested person is seen by newcomers and children as a person in authority and a representative of the church and therefore should complete Safe Church training, the background check, and the rest of the licensing requirements.

Do I need to take ALL the training to be licensed?

No. If the priest feels that a minister has met a requirement by training through another program or institution or by virtue of life or prior church experience, they can waive that particular training on the application (providing the reason for waiver request and uploading any available documentation of training).

We understand that most of our lay leaders are well trained already. But as with deacons and priests who take continuing education courses, lay leaders will find the training courses to be useful refreshers. One example is anti-racism training, which those preparing for ordained ministry must also take – not because they’re racists, but because the training provides valuable tools for personal discernment and empathetic, justice-driven ministry. Another example is that we won’t waive the Episcopal Identity requirement because a lay leader is a lifelong Episcopalian. But the priest may feel free to waive it if the lay minister has recently taken an “Episcopal 101” adult education course or a highly substantive confirmation class.

What if I cannot complete the training this year to be licensed, do I have to stop serving?

No. This program will take several years to catch up with everyone who is already doing these ministries. Bloy House courses will be offered every year – in fact this year, we are focusing on the courses for Lay Preacher, Worship Leader, and Pastoral Leader. We are also offering Episcopal Identity and Anti-Racism courses, which figure into all the licenses. We will roll out more courses in subsequent years. In the meantime, we want and urge lay ministers to continue serving. When they do complete the process, please celebrate their achievement in the congregation.

In a congregation in transition, who can sponsor and sign a licensing application?

The area dean, priest in charge or long-term supply priest, or senior or bishop’s warden.

Are there funds to offset the application fee or course fees for training?

Bloy House has some scholarship funds available. We would ask that the priest review the costs associated with the licensing and directly request the scholarship. The diocese will be able to support a small number of applications without the $25 application fee, which covers the cost of a background check. The applicant can indicate on the form that they are unable to pay the application fee.

What modules are required for Safe Church training for licensed lay ministry, and when does it expire?

For all of the lay licenses, applicants must complete the four “Universal” modules, and the four “Specialty” modules on the Praesidium training website.  The Safe Church training will need to be repeated when renewing the license. 

Why do lay ministers need a background check?

The Episcopal Church and our diocese are committed to making our missions and parishes safe for all our people. Background checks are essential to this policy. Once a minister has received their first license, upon renewal, they will not need an updated background check, unless they have been absent from ministry or their congregation for a period of time.

What happens if they take a required class but miss one session?

For all zoom classes except Anti-Racism, the Zoom sessions will be recorded.  A person who misses one class can view the recording and send a brief summary to the instructor. We do not intend to provide for an asynchronous learning experience, so we expect that applicants will attend at least three classes in real time.  Anti-Racism is a class where the in-person (or live via Zoom) experience is essential, and we believe that recording will hinder vulnerable sharing. If an applicant must miss more than one session of a course, or cannot attend all sessions of Anti-Racism, they are encouraged to take it at another more convenient time.