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The licensing procedures for our diocese have been revised for compliance
with actions taken by the General Convention in 2003.
The application for Licensed Ministry in the Diocese of Newark -- Eucharistic Minister, Eucharistic Visitor, Worship
Leader, Pastoral Leader, Preacher, Catechist -- is available in both PDF format and Microsoft Word.
Complete and mail to the Bishop's Office, Episcopal Diocese of Newark, 31 Mulberry
Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102.
(Click on the icon to obtain the
FREE Adobe PDF reader.)
The canonical requirements for liturgical leaders are set out in Title III, Canon 4 of the National Church Canons
adopted by the General Convention in 2003. The requirements are as follows:
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Title III, Canon 4:
Sec. 1. (a)
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 by the Ecclesiastical Authority to serve as Pastoral
Leader, Worship Leader, Preacher, Eucharistic Minister, Eucharistic Visitor, or Catechist. Requirements and guidelines
for the selection, training, continuing education, and deployment of such persons, and the duration of licenses
shall be established by the Bishop in consultation with the Commission on Ministry.
(b) The Presiding
Bishop or the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Forces may authorize a member of the Armed Forces to exercise one
or more of these ministries in the Armed Forces in accordance with the provisions of
this Canon. Requirements and guidelines for the selection, training, continuing education, and deployment of such
persons shall be established by the Bishop granting the license.
Sec. 2. (a)
The Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith may
request the Ecclesiastical Authority with jurisdiction to license persons within that
congregation or other community of faith to exercise such ministries. The license shall be issued for a period
of time to be determined under Canon III.4.1(a) and may be renewed. The license may be revoked by the
Ecclesiastical Authority upon request of or upon notice to the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising
oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.
(b) In renewing
the license, the Ecclesiastical Authority shall consider the performance of the ministry by the person licensed,
continuing education in the licensed area, and the endorsement of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising
oversight of the congregation or other community of faith in which the person is serving.
(c) A person
licensed in any Diocese under the provisions of this Canon may serve in another congregation or other community
of faith in the same or another Diocese only at the invitationother leader exercising oversight, and with the consent
of the Ecclesiastical Authority in whose jurisdiction the service will occur.
Sec. 3. A Pastoral Leader is a lay person
authorized to exercise pastoral or administrative responsibility in a congregation under special circumstances,
as defined by the Bishop.
Sec. 4 . A Worship Leader is a lay person
who regularly leads public worship under the direction of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight
of the congregation or other community of faith.
Sec. 5. A Preacher is a lay person authorized
to preach. Persons so authorized shall only preach in congregations under the direction of the Member of the Clergy
or other leader exercising oversight of the
congregation or other community of faith.
Sec. 6. A Eucharistic Minister is a lay
person authorized to administer the Consecrated Elements at a Celebration of Holy Eucharist. A Eucharistic Minister
should normally act under the direction of a Deacon, if any, or otherwise, the Member of the Clergy or other leader
exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.
Sec. 7. A Eucharistic
Visitor is a lay person 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 any, or otherwise, the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight
of the congregation or other community of faith.
Sec. 8. A Catechist
is a lay person authorized to prepare persons for Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, and the Reaffirmation of Baptismal
Vows, and shall function under the direction of the Member of the Clergy
or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.
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