With the approval of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer the “Catechism” was amended to recognize the role and place of the laity in ministries of the Church.

“Q. Who are the ministers of the Church?
A. The ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons.”

With this change we “no longer see the church as a community gathered around a Minister, but a community of many ministries gathered around the Lord.” The clergy and the laity, together and individually, carry out the ministries of the church, in a “community of people who are both gathered and scattered while, at the same time, profoundly interconnected by the Risen Christ who binds them together.”

St. Peter’s has many lay people performing licensed ministries, as they are set out in the Canons of the Church. As we grow into the future, many more lay ministers will be needed. The may Bishop license persons within a congregation to exercise the following ministries under the direction of the parish clergy:

• Worship Leader—a layperson that regularly leads public worship.
• Preacher—a layperson authorized to preach in a congregation.
• Eucharistic Minister—a layperson authorized to administer the Consecrated Elements at a Celebration of Holy Eucharist, usually under the direction of a Deacon, if there is any in the congregation.
• Eucharistic Visitor—a layperson authorized to take the Consecrated Elements in a timely manner following a Celebration of Holy Eucharist to members of the congregation who, by reason of illness or infirmity, were unable to be present at the Celebration. A Eucharistic Visitor should normally act under the direction of a Deacon, if there is any in the congregation.
• Catechist—a layperson authorized to prepare persons for Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows.

The Worship Leader training consists of 8-contact hours of class work and on-job-training under the supervision of clergy. The learning objective is to prepare them to lead a group in a non-sacramental service of the church, such as Morning or Evening Prayer, Compline or one of the daily devotions. St. Peter’s uses lay Worship Leaders to conduct services at skilled nursing facilities, senior residences, and on special occasions such as during Advent or Lent, and as part of parish retreats and vacation Bible schools. Training is composed of lectures, group exercises, and role-playing. Subjects covered include substituting for the clergy, general highlights and history of the Anglican Church in America, the Holy Scripture, liturgy and the church year, the Book of Common Prayer, the Lectionary, pastoral care, record keeping, and public speaking. Licensing requires the completion of an extensive take home examination.

The Eucharistic Visitor training consists of 6-contact hours class work and on-job-training under the supervision of clergy. The learning objective is to prepare them to take the Consecrated Elements to a member of the congregation at their home, at a skilled nursing facility, or at a hospital. Subjects covered include: the roots of the Holy Eucharist, pastoral versus sacramental visits, confidentiality, preparation for the visit, the “tools of the trade,” the visit, role playing to provide the student with an experience of a private home/hospital communion, and communication with the clergy.

Because the Worship Leader and Eucharistic Visitor perform their functions without direct immediate supervision of clergy must complete the “Safeguarding God’s People” avoidance of misconduct training put on by the Diocese of San Diego. This training consists of 8-contact hours of class work.

The Eucharistic Minister training is on-the-job under the supervision of clergy. The Eucharistic Minister assists clergy at the altar during worship and may serve the chalice, read lessons, and do other tasks as needed.