New programme will train lay people for ministry across the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon

This January, the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon launches Pathways to Commissioned Ministries (PCM), a new programme to prepare lay people for commissioned ministry in their local churches. The first peer group will begin around Easter, with training offered across the diocese.

PCM begins with three pathways:

Lay Pastoral Visitors (LPVs) offer pastoral care on behalf of their church, visiting those who are housebound, ill, bereaved, or lonely.
Lay Worship Leaders (LWLs) lead services that don’t require a priest, such as Morning and Evening Prayer and Services of the Word, so that worship can continue more regularly in churches when no vicar is available.
Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEMs) take communion to those unable to attend church. This pathway is open only to those already commissioned as LPVs and LWLs.

Each pathway combines theological teaching with practical preparation, and candidates progress through clear stages of formation. Anthony Porter, Officer for Commissioned Ministries, highlights the “renewed emphasis on discernment,” recognising that “listening for God’s call lies at the heart of every ministry in the Church.” Participants will also benefit from supervision and ministry placements, which Porter says are designed “to deepen faith, develop skills, and build confidence.”

A fourth pathway, for Catechists, who teach the Christian faith and help prepare people for baptism and confirmation, is expected to follow, with training hopefully available by the autumn. Expressions of interest for this, however, will be received from January.

Sessions will be held at convenient locations around the diocese so that people can train close to home. On completing their formation, candidates will be commissioned by the Bishop or an Archdeacon at Brecon Cathedral or Swansea Minster.

Bishop John has welcomed the initiative warmly. “Pathways is one of the most exciting initiatives to develop in this diocese for many years,” he said. “It offers a real possibility not only to improve how well the whole Body of Christ participates in Christ’s ministry but also to deepen people’s faith across the diocese.”

Jane de Gay, Director of Vocations, sees the programme as a sign that “lay vocations are truly valued,” offering lay workers “excellent training opportunities, and formational experiences with good peer support.”

Archdeacon Mark believes the programme answers a need that is both historic and pressing. “Since at least the Reformation, the Church has been promoting lay ministry. But it has rarely done much to support the growth of that ministry in any systematic way. Perhaps the crisis we’re now facing in clerical vocations is an opportunity to do something about that.”

Applications for the first peer group will be available by the end of January. Anyone who feels called to commissioned ministry, or who would like to know more about PCM, should speak to their vicar or Ministry Area Leader.