Pastoral Assistant/Worship Leader Flowchart

1. An individual or a group within a parish wonder whether God is calling them to offer a ministry as pastoral assistants or worship leaders.
2. They approach their Incumbent (or Area Dean during a clerical vacancy) and talk it over with them.
3. If the Incumbent considers that they have the right gifts for this role, he/she raises the possibility of conducting PA or WL training within the deanery at a meeting of the chapter.  
4. All Incumbents who have candidates for training for commissioned lay ministry write a letter of support outlining how they would use the PA(s) or WL(s). The Area Dean forwards the letter(s) of support to the Department of Life-long Learning, setting in motion the process of arranging appropriate training.
5. The Director / Administrator of the Department informs the relevant Co-ordinator. Training packs are sent out from the office. The Co-ordinator or Director, in discussion with the Area Dean, ensures that an appropriate person is responsible for delivering the training.
6. Throughout the period of training members of the adult education team, and especially the Co-ordinators of PAs and WLs, and PA trainer, are available as consultants. On completion of training the candidates for commissioned lay ministry receive a certificate.
7. Towards the end of training those who want to become PA(s) or WL(s) are CRB checked. Their PCC, incumbent, trainers and a person appointed by the diocese, considers whether they are being called to these ministries.
8. They are commissioned in a team alongside others in ministry in the parish / deanery, by their Archdeacon or Area Dean. Their role is endorsed annually at the first meeting of the PCC following the Parish Vestry Meeting. Their name is placed on a central register at Esgobty.
9. They receive regular supervision from the Incumbent / Area Dean and meet in groups along with others in the parish. They may also meet in support groups in a wider area. They attend regular in-service training.