Leading Worship; giving a curate confidence and competence

  1. What is the most important element of a curate’s ministry for training as they make the transition into public ministry – the thing which is at the heart, and which they often need help in? Leading worship & preaching – the public presentation and proclamation of the gospel. At this stage they have moved on from individual ministry – pastoral care etc. – which was often central in their ministry before ordination.
  1. What do we need to help them to learn? PRESENCE

How can we teach them?

  1. teach them that they are RESPONSIBLE for this space – as they come to the lectern/microphone/pulpit/altar to look around, take stock, see who’s there (make eye contact) – and be ready for what will happen – making sure they smile!
  1. help them develop EXPECTANCY - Learn to pray (and plan) expectantly for God’s transformation through the event – help them develop confidence that something worthwhile will happen (cf Yosemite Valley View) – and to keep WATCHING people during the event – keeping an eye on the people and ear to God - ensuring that they are giving a confident lead to those present so that they know they are ‘in safe hands’ and can therefore let themselves go and discover where God is leading them.
  1. help them develop CONFIDENCE - by
  2. trusting them with ‘the big ones’ – Xmas midnight communion … but with appropriate risk assessment!
  3. helping them learn intimacy through ‘the little ones’ – small events
  4. trusting them to do it on their own – or give them the back up of your presence (ask which helps them more)
  5. developing their SPONTANEITY – preaching without notice (5 minute sermons) – unprepared proper prefaces - although nb different learning styles – this may not suit some
  6. ensuring they have done sufficient PREPARATION – checking this with them in the early days – making sure they get to the event in good time
  1. Giving them LITURGICAL SKILL - allowing the liturgy to speak for itself vs ‘bringing it alive’ – practice! – skills of voice projection - recognizing that it is like acting – bringing a text alive, helping people recognize themselves in it
  1. Giving them NON-LITURGICAL SKILL – helping them know how to lead where there is no liturgy written down
  1. Helping them be aware of their ROLE and their calling – what’s appropriate in different situations (avoiding the ‘court jester’)
  1. Being ready to use SILENCE
  1. Ensuring that their ministry remains rooted in their own RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.