All baptized are called to minister in Christ’s name.  As the largest body within Christ’s Church, the laity possess unique gifts to assist the Church and to serve Christ’s mission at all times and in all places.   

Lay leadership takes on many forms – Licensed Ministries, Vestry Members, Coffee Hour Hosts, Youth Ministers, Diocesan committee members, and it is our hope that our office will be able to provide them with the tools they need to be effective, healthy, and sustainable.  

How do I know what I am being called to do? 

The Holy Scriptures tell us that God calls each of us in unique ways.  To explore these ways, The Commission on Ministry presents an annual Ministry Discernment Day – a free event designed to equip all the baptized with tools for lay and clerical discernment.  Our next day is scheduled for April 18, 2026 at Bellwether Farm. 

Licensed Lay Ministry 

Some lay leadership requires special licensing.  The Diocese of Ohio currently offers four licenses in accordance with Title III. Canon IV: Worship Leader, Eucharistic Minister, Eucharistic Visitor, and Lay Preacher.   

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 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 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. 

What are the requirements? 

All four licenses require the following before applying: 

• Being a confirmed or received communicant in good standing in the Episcopal Church 
• Currently an active member of their faith community 
• Approval by the clergy-in-charge 
• Is current on all Safe Church modular training (renewed every three years) 
• Received (or will receive within 3 years) anti-racism training 
• A background check (for Eucharistic Visitors) 

How do I get trained? 

Typically, training for Worship Leaders, Eucharistic Ministers, and Eucharistic Visitors takes place within one’s own faith community and is led by the clergy-in-charge, a deacon, or another licensed lay leader. Trainers are encouraged to invite nearby faith communities to learn together or to post an announcement in the diocesan E-news. A training guide is available to assist.

Training for new Lay Preachers requires participation in the Diocese of Ohio School for Diaconal and Lay Ministries. Once licensed, Lay Preachers are required to complete a continuing education course every three years. Click here to view current course offerings.

All lay licenses must be renewed every three years. To apply for a license or renewal, lay applicants must use this license application form to submit their information.

Participation in EfM will strengthen all lay ministries by building upon a solid foundation of Scripture study. Lay Preachers are eligible to receive a 50% tuition subsidy from the diocese.