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 1 year) anti-racism training 
• A background check (for Eucharistic Visitors) 

How do I get trained? 

Typically, trainings for Worship Leader, Eucharistic Minister, and Eucharistic Visitor, take place within one’s own faith community by a clergy-in-charge, deacon, or another licensed lay leader. Trainers are encouraged to invite their nearby faith communities to learn together or post an announcement in the diocesan E-news. A training guide is available to assist. These lay licenses are renewable every three years. At the completion of training, applicants must use this form to submit their information for licensure. 

Training for Lay Preaching, requires participation in the Lay Preacher’s College (an overnight retreat at Bellwether Farm usually in May) followed by additional steps. A visual diagram of the process is provided in the resources below. Lay Preaching licenses permit the recipient to preach only within their own faith community and must be renewed annually by participating in an in-person continuing education course (typically in March, May, September, and October). 

Participation in EFM will amplify the effectiveness of all lay ministries by building upon a solid foundation of Scripture study. Lay Preachers can receive 50% tuition, subsidized by the diocese.