The Role
Designated lay ministers (DLMs) are lay ministers, recognized by a regional council and accountable to the Office of Vocation, who accept a leadership role for defined periods of time for defined forms of service. Leadership roles may include the work of preaching, worship, sacrament, pastoral care, education, or other forms of service. Designated lay ministers apply to their region for a license to administer the sacraments if it is part of their ministry. This role is by appointment.
Training
Those interested in becoming designated lay ministers for Indigenous ministry settings can engage in the Candidacy Pathway to become recognized and can study at the Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre.
Background
In 2023, General Council Commissioners decided that the need for local lay ministry should become part of the ongoing conversations about trained lay leadership in collaborative ministry settings. Further, Commissioners also decided that the Board of Vocation and candidacy boards should be encouraged to direct people without an undergraduate degree, who are discerning a call to lifelong church-wide ministry, towards ordered ministry preparation and formation.