An update on lay leadership of worship

Licensing for Lay Worship Leaders

Persons who feel called to be licensed as Lay Worship Leaders authorized to lead Morning Prayer and other offices of the church here in Mississippi are invited to request information and an application from either Mr. David Benway, the Director of Licensed Lay Worship Education, or Canon Gary Meade.

Renewal of a Lay Worship Leader License

Leaders already licensed are required to renew their license annually. To do so, persons must complete one of the following three requirements:

1. Attend the in-person Lay Worship Leader Conference to be held this year on August 22 at Christ Episcopal Church in Vicksburg or an equivalent event approved by either Mr. Benway or Canon Gary; or
2. Attend any two of four online workshops offered by David Benway and Canon Gary on the following Thursday evenings at 6 pm: June 25, July 30, September 17, and October 25; or
3. Complete and return a five-question quiz available either from David Benway or Canon Gary by November 1.

Local Lay Worship Leaders

At the recent Small Church Conference, Bishop Dorothy Wells announced that persons leading Morning Prayer in their own local church do not need to be licensed. Persons leading worship do with the knowledge and approval of local leadership, whether that’s a priest or, in the absence of a priest, the Senior Warden.

Training materials for local lay worship leaders are available from Canon Gary, and all who lead worship are welcome at the in-person conference and online workshops.

For More Information

Please contact either Mr. David Benway (601-218-1093; davben@bellsouth.net), or Canon Gary Meade (731-589-3370). You may also visit sites.google.com/dioms.org/lay-worship-leaders.