Volunteer Job Description: Lay minister

Rough draft only. See notes on this form here.

Goal:

To help provide pastoral care and support for members and friends of [Name of Congregation].

Time frame:

As a Lay Minister, you commit to attending monthly 1-1/2 hour meetings of the Lay Ministry Team. You commit to spending 2-3 hours a week doing basic pastoral care. You also commit to serving as the main contact person for the lay minister team amonth at a time, on a rotating basis with other Lay Ministers.

Statement of Accountability:

As a Lay Minister, you report to the parish minister, as well as to the Lay Ministry Team. Ultimately, you are responsible to the Board, and the Congregation.

Responsibilities:

A Lay Minister may undertake some or all of the following responsibilities, as his/her time and interests allow:

Provide casseroles, rides, or other basic services, as decided by the Lay Ministry Team.
Serve as a friendly visitor to shut-ins and others, as decided by the Lay Ministry Team.
Serve as a pastoral listener, after having completed pastoral listening training.
Serve as the monthly coordinator for the Lay Ministry Team, on a rotating basis.
Other tasks may include collating list of pastoral resources, making phone calls, consulting with parish minister, etc.

All Lay Ministers should take on the following responsibilities:

Pursue your own personal spiritual growth by attending worship services when possible.
Attend monthly in-service training and support sessions.
Take joy in your lay ministry when possible.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Willingness and interest in helping others.
Good empathy, and good basic listening skills are important.
Ability to be open to personal growth, including learning from peers (other Lay Ministers) and the parish minister.
Good personal boundaries, and ability to hold confidences.

Benefits and opportunities:

Ongoing training opportunities.
Working closely with the parish minister and other dedicated Lay Ministers.

All volunteer Lay Ministers should be aware of their special responsibility to uphold ethical and moral standards as a lay minister. Knowledge of child protection and other safety issues are required of all Lay Ministers.

Reference checks may be requested of any volunteer working with minors.

To apply for this volunteer job, contact ....