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All of the participants who have successfully completed their Bishop’s Certificate course will have their Certificate presented as part of special service in Southwell Minster. However, it is important that the sponsoring parish which has supported them through their studies and course work should also have an opportunity to recognise and endorse their work and future ministry. The following suggestions are designed to help parishes do so. Should the Parish be in agreement the participant may be called a ‘Recognised Lay Minister’, and this option is offered in brackets throughout the liturgy.

It is important to see these suggestions as a guideline, and it may not suit all circumstances. For instance, not all of the liturgy may be relevant to people taking up ministries focused more on the world outside church. It should therefore be adapted to suit the individual participant and their ministry context.

On the occasion when the achievement is to be recognised in a church service it is important that the person is able to take part in the service and contribute in relevant ways. These may include:

• Contributing to the service content through their specialist skills where relevant (music, teaching adults, etc).
• Talking briefly about what they have learned and how they hope it will help the church move forward.
• Demonstrate learned skills by showing examples of course work, items produced, or music.
• Inviting others in the congregation to pray for them, perhaps at an appropriate point during the service
• Sitting at the front and taking part in the leading of the service as a way of being seen in ministry and leadership
• Reading the lesson, leading the church in prayers and intercessions, etc
• Providing refreshments or lunch after the service in order for the church family to speak with and congratulate the individual.

Suggested themes for the service are:

Ephesians 4:4-7. We are all given special gifts.

1 Corinthians 12:1-11. The spirit gives us all gifts to use.

1 Samuel 3:1-10. The Lord calls those who listen.

Judges 6:7-16. God uses all people, even those who feel inadequate.

This outline will need the insertion of the person’s name and specialism at the appropriate points, the use of 'Recognised Lay Minister' if appropriate, and should be used flexibly to suit your particular situation.

The person who has achieved their Bishop’s Certificate should be invited to the front of the church and presented to the congregation. The Minister then asks everyone to stand, and addresses the congregation:

Minister: All who follow Jesus are given a share in the work he began. Through his grace we receive gifts and opportunities to point others towards God’s love for them and for all his creation.

The work of the church is the responsibility of us all as members of God’s family. Will you as the People of God support the work of ……….. in his / her ministry of …………..(as a Recognised Lay Minister)

All: With God’s help, we will.

Minister: Will you set apart ……. as someone called to leadership, offering him/her encouragement, prayer and guidance as they fulfil God’s calling on his/her life?

All: With God’s help we will.

Minister: Will you both allow and encourage ……. to contribute to the leadership, life and growth of the church?

All: With God’s help we will.

The Minister then invites the congregation to sit, and addresses the individual:

Minister: Those who are called to a specific ministry in the church of God have a responsibility to obey their calling and serve God in all ways possible.

Will you, ..…….. who has been called to work particularly in the ministry of ………….(as a Recognised Lay Minister), seek to obey and fulfil God’s calling on your life?

   With God’s help I will.

Minister: Will you share with all people you work with your hopes, your joys and your faith, and celebrate together your awareness of living in God’s world?

   With God’s help I will.

Minister: Will you hand on what you have learnt so that all God’s people here may be enabled to fulfil the ministries entrusted to us?

   With God’s help I will.

Minister: Will you devote adequate prayer, time and energy to your preparation and work with them, so that you will be fulfilled, and God will be glorified?

   With God’s help I will.

Minister: Will you work alongside others in your church with love, support, understanding and forgiveness, always pursuing all that makes for peace and develops unity?

   With God’s help I will.

Laying on of Hands and Prayer:

At this point it may be appropriate to invite some leaders and members of the congregation to pray for the participant (Recognised Lay Minister). This could include laying on of hands, extemporary prayer, and times of quiet for reflection. Then the following prayers could be offered:

Minister: Jesus said: ‘As I have loved you, so you must love one another.’

   Fill me with your love, so that I may love others fully and completely.

Minister: Jesus said: ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’

   Shine on me, light of the world, so that I may always find your path.

Minister: Jesus said: ‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and then you will be my witnesses.’

   Renew me with your Spirit, so that I may always do your work.

Minister: May the love of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you, and with all you work with in this church. May we all grow in his love, follow his path, and be filled with his Spirit. Amen.