Commissioned lay ministry

The Church in Wales affirms forms of accredited, public lay ministry known as commissioned ministries. At the moment, there are three forms of commissioned ministry:

• Worship Leader
• Pastoral Assistant
• Catechist

The call of individuals to these ministries is discerned locally, in your ministry/mission area, and training and requirements for these roles differ between dioceses. So, the first step is to speak with your church leader or chaplain about your sense of calling. They will help you explore the opportunities in your specific diocese. This will be the beginning of your journey of discernment, where you will explore whether commissioned ministry is right for you and whether you are right for commissioned ministry.

Worship Leaders are commissioned lay ministers who assist licensed and ordained ministers in helping to lead services of worship. Their work might include:

• leading services of morning and evening prayer
• assisting the Ministry of the Word at the Eucharist
• leading Services of the Word, inside and outside the Church, when there is no sermon or Eucharist
• leading the intercessions or enabling others to do so
• encouraging the Church to develop creativity and good practice in liturgy and worship

For more information, a leaflet about worship leaders can be found here:

• Commissioned Ministry in the Church in Wales - Worship Leader (PDF)

Pastoral Assistants are commissioned lay ministers who support ordained ministers in showing Christ-like love and concern for others through pastoral care inside and outside the church. Their work might include:

• listening to, praying for, and being with the sick and suffering
• visiting the sick and housebound on behalf of the church
• undertaking additional discernment and training for additional specialisations such as wedding visiting, baptism visiting, bereavement ministry, Eucharistic visiting, or prayer and healing ministry

For more information, a leaflet about pastoral assistants can be found here:

• Commissioned Ministry in the Church in Wales - Pastoral Assistant (PDF)

Catechists are commissioned lay ministers who support ordained ministers in helping people to deepen their faith by teaching and enabling study within the local church. Their work might include:

• encouraging the church to grow in knowledge, faith and discipleship through study and reflection
• enabling others to explore their beliefs for themselves.
• taking a particular lead in facilitating study groups for discipleship programmes and courses
• assisting in the preparation of candidates for baptism and confirmation

For more information, a leaflet about catechists can be found here:

• Commissioned Ministry in the Church in Wales - Catechist (PDF)