Norham Worship Leaders’ Course: following Jesus by leading worship

Norham Deanery Rural, but varied Different kinds of worship Lay people already leading worship Deanery Development Group’s ambition: lay people to be ‘coached, resourced and supported, and feel confident and relaxed about exercising their gifts of ministry by leading worship and serving the local community.’

So they asked the diocese to get involved in piloting a training course that would: be delivered within the deanery be ‘on the job’ so people learn as they go along be adapted to the needs of the participants include some kind of mentoring, so that on one is left alone and unsupported be a ‘learning community,’ meaning that the participants learn with and from each other.

The pilot is just coming to a close and is being evaluated. It was led and run by Rachel Wood (who at the start of the project was Local Ministry Development Officer) Hilary Elder – Developing Discipleship Officer for Lindisfarne when the project started and now part of the Discipleship and Ministry for Mission team in the diocese. Coordinated by John Vilaseca, a Curate in Norham Deanery Supported by Clare MacLaren, Canon for Worship and Liturgy at the Cathedral. Judith Sadler – Team Leader for Children’s and Young People’s Work. Rob Kelsey – Area Dean of Norham.

Process Met a group from the deanery to explore context and needs. Devised a seven-session course. Agreed dates. Diocesan team responsible for delivery of material, deanery for promotion and coordination.

Course Content Planning worship – structure and content. Holding the Word Planning worship – structure and content. Delivering the Word What does it mean to lead worship? Opening the Word Being creative with the ‘sermon slot’. Open Workshop day For anyone in the Deanery, workshops on reading the lesson, leading intercessions, leading music. Resourcing the Word What is available? Who does what? How to encourage others to get more involved? Accessing the Word Using the space available; involving children and young people. Word in action Planning a deanery service to precede Deanery Synod meeting.

Each session in a different church Each session practically focused Key Features Each session in a different church Each session practically focused Participants shared and learned from each other Course leaders shared own and diocesan resources

Course being evaluated A pilot worth rolling out? What do you think? What next? Course being evaluated A pilot worth rolling out? What do you think?

Discipleship models training ministry ministry training training

Send any comments on this session to: h.elder@newcastle.anglican.org