School for Ministry
An essential part of the formal Christian formation process of The Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida is the School for Ministry Development. The school, run by the Diocese, is located at the DaySpring Episcopal Conference Center in Parrish, Florida.
The school serves those who wish to enhance their Christian journey through pursuing either a lay license or a position in the vocational diaconate. The school is focused on training those seeking ordination to the diaconate and those seeking lay licensure who are endorsed by their congregations.
The School for Ministry Development trains lay persons in seven areas of ministry that require a license from the Bishop.
They are:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
An Evangelist is a lay person who presents the good news of Jesus Christ in such a way that people are led to receive Christ as savior and follow Christ as Lord in the fellowship of the Church. An evangelist assists with the community's ministry of evangelism in partnership with the presbyter or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation, or as directed by the bishop.
All students must be formally nominated for diaconal formation or lay licensure before enrolling. Students will be expected to have completed a parish-based discernment process and have formal support from their clergy and vestry.
Find Out More:
- For more information, contact The Rev. Canon Michael P. Durning.
- Download the School For Ministry Development 2017-2018 Student & Facilitator Guide (Diaconal Formation).
Source: Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church (Title III, Canon 4).
School for Ministry Development
DaySpring Conference Center
8411 25th Street East
Parrish, FL 34219
