The United Reformed Church

This resource has been prepared by students of Northern College, Manchester.

Vocations Sunday is normally marked on the 4th Sunday of Easter. In 2018 this is 22 April.
The materials include different suggestions for all-age worship (either the first portion of a service, or a full service) – including a powerpoint and an all-age version of Psalm 23, suggestions for café-style worship including images, calls to worship, opening and closing responses and a selection of prayers, 'Respoken' Psalm 23, hymn suggestions and sermon notes.
The main links are to documents in pdf format.  Word versions can be found at the bottom of the page.

Lee Battle, Paul Duncan, Helen Everard, Sarah Fitton, Ceri Gardner, John Grundy and Jonnie Hill

Readings

• Psalm 23
• John 10:11-18

The Materials

All-age worship

Psalm 23
Close to God's Heart
Cafe-style & cafe-style resources
Powerpoint

Prayers and responses

Opening and closing responses
Call to worship and opening prayers
Intercessions

Psalm 23 'Respoken'
A new hymn for Vocations Sunday
Hymn suggestions
Sermon notes
Images – weblinks

Word documents

All-age worship – Psalm 23
All-age worship – close to God's heart
All-age worship – cafe style
All-age worship – cafe style resources
All-age worship – powerpoint
Call to worship and opening prayers
Opening and closing responses
Intercessions
Psalm 23 'Respoken'
Sermon notes
A new hymn
Hymn suggestions
Image – weblinks

Local Recognition

In many churches lay people who do not have Assembly Accreditation lead public worship and preach to the great benefit of the churches. It is the responsibility of Synods to determine how these people should be recognised.

Normally such local recognition would be given only after someone had been commended by their own church, had undertaken some training, but of a less demanding nature than the full TLS course, and had conducted one or more assessed services. Often they will have worked with an experienced accredited or recognised lay preacher or a minister, sharing with them in leading worship.

This local recognition may not be recognised by other denominations.

All those who lead public worship, whether only in their own church or in other churches as well, are encouraged to find opportunities to develop their skills and understanding, to meet with other lay preachers to share ideas and to gain and give mutual support.

Welcome to all who lead worship

You will find here information and resources about leading worship, becoming a Lay preacher, opportunities for developing gifts and skills, courses available as well as links to other relevant websites.

The Assembly Advocate for Leadership in Worship is a member of the Ministries Committee and works closely with the Synod Lay Preaching Commissioners (or their equivalent) to support and encourage all members of the URC involved in leading worship.

In 2021 there has been a change in the training being offered to potential Lay Preachers. For people who are offering themselves to lead worship, the URC now has two training pathways: Lay Preachers can be recognised by their Synod as Locally Recognised Worship Leaders through attending Synod based training course or through completing Stepwise Faith Filled Life and Faith Filled Worship and some other specific tasks; or can access training through one of the Resource Centres for Learning (currently Northern College) to become an Assembly Accredited Lay Preacher.

Follow the links below for training outline and processes and the Marks of Ministry as agreed at Mission Council March 2021 and General Assembly July 2021.

• Paper D/H2: Locally Recognised Worship Leaders and Assembly Accredited Lay Preachers (PDF)
• Paper D/H1: Marks of Ministry of a Worship Leader and Lay Preacher (PDF)
• Paper D-H1: The process for becoming a Locally Recognised Worship Leader or an Assembly Accredited Lay Preacher (PDF) 

The Education & Learning Committee is pleased to offer grants to Assembly Accredited Lay Preachers to support them in further training. Please discuss with your synod lay training officer, and you may download an Application Form.

Upcoming events and courses

There is a selection of the events being offered in the next few months. You will find details if you use the links to colleges above.

Assembly Accreditation

Accreditation is a significant mark of recognition for a lay preacher for their work in the wider church. It is a substantial and worthwhile goal for which those who are new to leading worship and preaching may aim.

Assembly Accreditation is given to those leading worship and preaching in URC churches who are members of the URC and who have undertaken an approved practical and theoretical training including experience of leading public worship. They will have been commended by their own church and by their Synod and approved by the United Reformed Church’s Accreditation sub-committee. 

Those who have equivalent training in another denomination but who are members of the URC or of an LEP which includes the URC may also be considered for Assembly Accreditation.

This accreditation will be affirmed at a Commissioning service, normally at the lay preacher’s own church, and acknowledged by the Synod. This accreditation is also recognised by other denominations.