The Diocese of London

THE DIOCESE OF LONDON

Licensed Lay Ministry
(Readers)

Guidelines & Proforma for

Candidate Interview

NAME:______Date of Interview: ______

BACKGROUND

How do you propose to exercise the ministry of a Licensed Lay Minister?(to test the candidate’s perception of Licensed Lay Ministry)

Preaching
Teaching
Leading Worship
Pastoral Work
Educational Work
Enabling
Evangelism
Lay Leadership

How will you achieve this? (to test the training pattern perceived pre and post licensing)

How do you envisage relating training with the practicalities of this ministry?

What makes Licensed Lay Ministry distinct from ordinary lay people in the parish?

1 VOCATION
(Candidates should be able to speak of their own sense of vocation to ministry and mission, referring both to personal conviction and to the extent to which others have confirmed it. Their sense of vocation should he obedient, realistic and informed.)

How has the individual’s sense of vocation grown and affected his/her life and work?

What evidence is there:

that the sense of vocation has resulted in a deepening of spiritual life, greater commitment to reflection and reading or greater pastoral awareness?
of a ministry which has already begun?
that the local congregation from which the candidate comes, recognises a call to ministry and supports it?
of appropriate personal qualities and gifts?
that the candidate has the desire and the capacity to reflect on appropriate patterns of discipleship in the contemporary world, and be both a resource and a stimulus for fellow Christians in their reflection?
that Licensed Lay Ministry is the most appropriate calling?
that the motives for seeking admission to the office of Licensed Lay Minister are appropriate?

that the candidate wishes to be better equipped to serve in the mission of the Church?

What is the candidate’s attitude to the possibility of being deployed elsewhere?

2 FAITH
(Candidates should show an understanding of the Christian faith and a desire to deepen that understanding. They should demonstrate personal commitment to Christ and a capacity to communicatethe Gospel.)

What evidence is there:

of a mature personal faith in Christ and a commitment to live in accordance with it? (This should be explored in depth however long or short a time the candidate has been a Christian,)

of openness to God, to others and to new ideas and insights?
of willingness to minister sensitively in parishes of different traditions or in ecumenical contexts, while retaining the integrity of personal conviction?
that the candidate will cope with the challenge to faith posed by critical study of scripture and theological questioning? (Those who are unwilling to enter this process are likely to find the training difficult and will likely be unable to help others to explore unfamiliar ideas).
of ability to accept and bear authority as a representative of the Church, and to teach responsibly within this context?
of a strong sense of the loving and saving purpose of God for the world and a firm desire to share this by word and deed?
of appropriate commitment to the Church of England?
of an understanding and acceptance of Church order and the authority of the Bishop?

3 SPIRITUALITY AND WORSHIP
(Candidates should show evidence/commitment to a spiritual discipline which involves individual and corporate prayer and worship. Their spiritual practice should be such to sustain and energise them in their daily lives.)

What account does the candidate give of a life of prayer?
What effect has individual prayer and bible-reading had on growth in both breadth and depth of spiritual understanding?
What appreciation is there of the need for theological study to be supported by drawing nearer to God through prayer?
What has been the nature and extent of the candidate’s involvement in public worship? How does the candidate make connections between individual prayer and public worship?
How does the candidate perceive the relationship between prayer and worship on the one hand and the world of work, leisure and home life on the other?

4 PERSONALITY AND CHARACTER
(Candidates should be sufficiently mature and stable to show that they can sustain the demanding role ofminister and to face change and pressure in a flexible and balanced way. They should be seen to be people of integrity.)

What evidence is there that the candidate:

adequately perceives and acknowledges personal strengths and weaknesses and can face criticism and learn from it?
has the capacity to understand and accept others and to relate pastorally to them in appropriate ways?
is able to handle change and conflict in mature and creative ways?
has the self-awareness, stability and capacity to cope with the feelings of other people when they have experienced pain in their lives?
understands the importance of tolerance, acceptance and forgiveness?
can avoid being misled by false impressions of appreciation?
has the desire and the capacity to reflect on appropriate patterns of discipleship in the
contemporary world, and be both a resource and a stimulus for fellow Christians in their reflection?
makes a serious attempt to live out a commitment to the Gospel?
shows a balance and proportion in the range of activities with which he/she is involved?

5 RELATIONSHIPS
(Candidates should demonstrate self-awareness and self-acceptance as a basis/or developing open and healthy personal and pastoral relationships as ministers.)

What evidence is there that the candidate:

under the authority of the bishop and the responsible priest, has the ability to work harmoniously and collaboratively with others in a team?
is sufficiently mature and stable to sustain a demanding ministry without creating discord or damaged relationships?
has the capacity both to lead and to accept the leadership of others?
has an ability and willingness to listen to others sensitively and perceptively?
leads a personal life which reflects a level of stability and reliability such as would make it possible to minister under emotional pressure, or to those who disagree or who may cause hurt?
has considered the needs and interests of other members of the family (as appropriate) in offering him/herself for selection and training?
would receive support from members of her/his household during and after training?

6POTENTIAL FOR TRAINING
(Candidates should be capable of undertaking satisfactorily a course of study and ministerial preparation with a open and enquiring mind.)

What evidence is there:

of an open and enquiring mind, willing to engage in a method of training which is participatory, reflective, imaginative and creative?
of ability to follow an argument and comment on it pertinently?
of ability to grasp and draw out ideas expressed by others?
of a lively and intelligent interest in theological questions, contemporary issues in church and society and events in the wider world?
of ability to communicate views and ideas clearly and maintain an independent line of thought?
of keenness and ability to continue to study and to develop skills for communicating the Gospel effectively in a variety of contexts?
of potential which might be released and developed in training?
of appreciation of the need to be willing to continue with education and training after licensing?
What particular strengths would the candidate bring to a group of trainees?
What particular knowledge and skills does the candidate already have?
What particular areas of knowledge and skills does the candidate need to develop?

7 LEADERSHIP AND COLLABORATION
(Candidates should show the potential to offer wise leadership, under the guidance of their Incumbent, in the Church community and to some extent beyond it. They should also show ability and willingness to co-operate with other ministers and to work as team members as well as leaders.)

What is the potential for using own initiative and working creatively?

How would they deal with conflicting situations?

Is there any evidence, or potential to work with Incumbent/Area Dean, other lay leaders, and to enable others?

8 OTHER(from papers)

9SOME POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

What makes Licensed Lay Ministry distinct from other lay people’s involvement in the parish?
What brought you to the stage of offering yourself for this ministry?
Why Licensed Lay Ministry and not ordination?
How do you propose to exercise the ministry of an Licensed Lay Minsiter?
What is your understanding of Church order and authority?
We live in a world/community where Christianity competes with other religions. How would you deal with challenges from other denominations and barbed comments from those with no faith?
Tell me about one of the topical issues (current interest debates) in Church circles today, which friends/colleagues may have discussed with you. Have you any other views?
How would you handle this in a varied group?
How would you describe your prayer life?
How does this relate to corporate prayer?
How is this related to your home, family, parish, community and work?
What gifts are you bringing to this ministry?
You are being sponsored by a multi-cultural parish; should this be of any significance? What might your role be in enabling a balanced relationship among the cultures?
How do you envisage relating training with the practicalities of this ministry?
How will this ministry assist you beyond the parish boundary?
What are you hoping to will be developed during your training?
In preparation for this ministry, what reading have you done?
What difference would this ministry make to your position in the parish?

If you were stranded on a desert island, which two books would you hope to have with you, and why?

Created: 15 April 2010 (LLM 5)

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