1 Virginia Synod ELCA Lay Preaching Academy Handbook and Program Guide August 2021 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. (Philippians 1.2-5) Introduction: Jesus Christ is the Word of God, in and through whom abundant life has come into being for all humanity. In Jesus, we are shown the glory of God, full of grace and truth (John 1). In Jesus Christ, God has shown such love for the world that God gave Jesus, God’s only Son, so that all who believe would not perish but may have eternal life and so that the world might be saved through him (John 3.16-17). Jesus is the salvation of God for all humanity, through his life, death, and resurrection (Luke 2.30-31). This is the good news – the gospel – of great joy for all people (Luke 2.10). Jesus proclaimed this good news among the people. This gospel message of great love, joy, mercy, forgiveness, peace, hope, and grace. Jesus Christ proclaimed the presence and nearness of God’s dominion – teaching in synagogues, in towns, in cities, sitting by wells or under the cover of darkness, gathered with one or gathered with many (e.g. Matthew 4.23; Mark 1.14; Luke 8.1; John 4). Jesus also called upon those who followed him to proclaim this same good news of God’s love for all humanity in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (e.g. Matthew 10, Mark 13, Luke 9) and sent them - with the gift of the Holy Spirit (John 20.22) - so that the gospel would be proclaimed to all the nations. Indeed, Jesus commissioned all of those who learned from and with him - all of his disciples - to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28.19-20). This gospel commission of Jesus has been and continues to be a call to all of God’s people. The Spirit of God poured out upon a wide diversity of God’s people (e.g. Matthew 4.18-25, John 1.35-51, John 4.1-41, Acts 2.17-18, Acts 8.26-40, Romans 16, 1 Corinthians 11.4-5, Galatians 3.26-29). The Virginia Synod gives thanks to God for the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, imparting gifts upon God’s holy people and calling us all to use those gifts for the sake of the gospel for the sake of the world. “Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43.18-19a). The Virginia Synod Office of the Bishop gives great thanks for the Spirit’s movement in and through those who feel the Spirit’s nudge to engage more deeply with their own faith and with the scriptures and Lutheran Confessions. The Office of the Bishop also gives great thanks to congregations, deacons, and pastors who have raised up and supported those with gifts for proclamation of the gospel, so that they may serve as commissioned Lay Preachers in the Synod. 2 Together we celebrate the Spirit’s bold witness in and through those who have been recommended to serve as Lay Preachers, those among whom they will proclaim the good news, and among those who will serve, lead, and support this ministry. “For [we are] not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, ‘The one who is righteous will live by faith’” (Romans 1.16-17). Contact Information: 1. Virginia Synod Office of the Bishop (West): 540-389-1000 2. Ministry Coordinators: a. The Rev. Kelly Bayer Derrick, Assistant to the Bishop i. [email protected] b. The Rev. Colleen Montgomery, Director for Digital Ministry i. [email protected] c. Admin Support: TBD Statement of Purpose: The Virginia Synod Lay Preaching Academy supports (at least) two intertwining and complementary purposes: 1. Lifting up the gifts of lay people to proclaim the good news of God. The certification and commissioning is based around intensive coursework (Old Testament, New Testament, Interpretation, Preaching, etc.), mentoring, sermon prep, and practice. As these lay preachers discover new ways of engaging with scriptures and grow deeper in their own faith, the ministry of proclamation will be a gift to these people of God who now have a unique opportunity to serve. 2. Training lay supply preachers in the Virginia Synod. As many of the Synod’s smaller congregations, especially, rely on supply pastors and preachers, commissioning trained lay preachers will be a significant gift to the Virginia Synod. To accomplish these purposes: In celebration of the varieties of gifts of lay people, Lay Preachers will: ● Engage with scripture, perhaps in new, inspiring, and even challenging ways ● Participate in holy listening - with the Holy Spirit and with each other ● Grow deeper in their own faith ● Build community with others who feel called to use their gifts for proclamation ● Support a unique opportunity - and responsibility - to serve God’s people 3 In support of congregations of the Virginia Synod, Lay Preachers: ● Will serve at the endorsement and commission of the bishop, after completing training and practicum work ● Must be nominated by a pastor or deacon, apply to the program, and be accepted into the academy ● Will provide occasional worship leadership and preaching to congregations and worship communities. ○ They will serve as supply preachers only; not serving as the essential pastor of a congregation ○ They may preach, on a short-term basis, on Sunday mornings in congregations without a called pastor or deacon ○ They are not restricted to their own home congregation but may share their gifts in a variety of worship settings. ● Will be formed, evaluated, endorsed, and commissioned into this ministry by synod-based training and oversight (Completion of a program of preparation does not mean that endorsement and commissioning for service as a VA Synod Lay Preacher will follow. There is no guarantee of service within the synod.) ● Participation in training is mandatory - proclamation of the good news is an important means of grace, not to be taken lightly Application to the Lay Preaching Academy (LPA): Participants in the Virginia Synod Lay Preaching Academy are active, confirmed, communing, and contributing members of Virginia Synod congregations. Enlightened with gifts of the Holy Spirit and living in their baptismal covenant, they seek to share their gifts for proclamation of the good news of God in Christ through word and deed. They are recognized as leaders by their congregations and uphold the highest standards of the Christian life. Applications to participate in the Lay Preaching Academy include the following: ● Completed application form, including basic personal information (Appendix ??) ○ Application Info - Lay Preaching Academy (Formstack Link) ● Autobiographical Essay (Appendix ??) (Google doc link) ● A written Congregation Recommendation form from their pastor or deacon and congregation council (Appendix ??) ○ CONGREGATION RECOMMENDATION - LAY PREACHING ACADEMY (Formstack Link) ● Completed VA Synod background check (using the form in Appendix ??) (Google doc link) Based on the completed application, the Virginia Synod determines whether an applicant may be admitted to the Academy. 4 Expectations: Persons who serve as Lay Preachers, commissioned and endorsed by the Virginia Synod Office of the Bishop, are expected to meet and maintain the following expectations: ● Evidence of a robust Christian faith and commitment to Christ, rooted in the presence and activity of the triune God; ● Proclamation of the good news of God’s radical love for all humanity and the ways that God’s love impacts the real lives of people today; ● Active participation in God’s mission as a part of the church, in part through active membership in a congregation of the Virginia Synod; ● Cultivation of one's own faith through participation in the use of spiritual disciplines (e.g., prayer, biblical and theological reflection, worship, etc.); ● Commitment to show forth in word and deed God's saving gospel of justification by grace through faith, and so equip the baptized for their ministry in daily life; ● Knowledge and acceptance of, and preaching and teaching in accordance with, the Confession of Faith of this church; ● Expressed commitment to and public support and positive interpretation of the mission and ministries of the Virginia Synod and the ELCA; ● Demonstration of appropriate ministry and leadership skills; ● Required participation in and satisfactory completion of Virginia Synod program of preparation; ● Willingness to meet and continue in this church’s expectations concerning the personal conduct and behavior of persons serving in public ministry, such as boundaries and inclusion education and other continuing education opportunities. Responsibilities of the Virginia Synod: The Lay Preaching Academy is administered by the Virginia Synod Office of the Bishop, in cooperation with congregations, pastors, and deacons. The responsibilities of the Virginia Synod include: ● Application: determining requirements for application to the Academy ● Administrative support: creating application forms; making application forms readily available to applicants; reviewing, cataloging and securing all applicant files; and determining which applicants may be admitted ● Curriculum: determining educational requirements for endorsement and commissioning as a Lay Preacher, including: developing coursework; recruiting instructors and cohort leaders; giving guidance to instructors for Academy expectations; creating / suggesting course schedules; etc.