Permissions, Commissions, and Licences Framework

Permissions, Commissions and Licenses Bishop’s Permissions (Authorisations)

This is restricted to a particular parish and is for specific function/s. The person needs the support of his/her parish priest and PCC, who recommend to the Bishop. The Bishop’s agreement is required. Permissions are renewable every three years at the initiation of the Bishop’s office. There is a range of possible permissions: to distribute Holy Communion; to preach and lead worship; to take communion to the sick/housebound; to lead services of extended communion; to take funerals. All these permissions, and particularly the authorisation of lay people to take funerals, require specific approval from the Bishop and an agreed training framework.

Bishop’s Commission

This is restricted to a particular parish/chaplaincy/BMO. The person needs the support of his/her parish priest and PCC or Chaplain or Trustees, and then goes through a screening process by the Warden for Lay Ministry (which may or may not require completion of a training course e.g., for pastoral assistants). The Warden recommends to the Bishop. The Bishop’s agreement is required. A Commission is specific to the parish (e.g., pastoral assistant, youth worker/leader) and to a bishop. It is time limited for as long as the Bishop thinks fit (usually up to five years). Commissioned Ministers can opt into the Lay Ministerial Development Review scheme, and the outcomes and recommendations from a review can be a major factor in decisions about Recommissioning. A Commission has specific Permissions attached to it (see above), according to the job description and work agreement agreed between the PCC and the Bishop. Lay Hospital Chaplains also hold Bishop’s Commissions.

Bishop’s License

This is held by Lay Ministers/Lay Workers, Church Army Evangelists and Readers/LLMs. (Accredited) Lay Ministers: The licence is legal, nationally recognised, and transferable. There is no time limit for holding the licence. The licence (under Canon E7 & E8) ceases by resignation, retirement, or removal. There is periodic ministerial review. The specific office of ALM has now been discontinued by the House of Bishops. Lay Ministry under these Canons is currently being reviewed at national level, with a view to simplifying the framework. Church Army Evangelists are licensed under this provision. Readers/Licensed Lay Ministers: The licence is legal, nationally recognised, and transferable. The person needs the support of his/her parish priest and PCC and then goes through a Diocesan selection process for training. Usually, the licence is issued for up to five years and must be submitted for renewal prior to the Quinquennial Re-licensing of Readers. Canons E4 – E6 apply. There are Diocesan Regulations for Reader Ministry. Readers are part of the biennial Lay Ministerial Development Review scheme, and the outcomes and recommendations from the review will be a major factor in decisions about Relicensing.