Section 2E:  Evangelist

An Evangelist is a lay person who presents the good news of Jesus Christ in such a way that people are led to receive Christ as Savior and follow Christ as Lord in the fellowship of the Church. An Evangelist assists with the community's ministry of evangelism in partnership with the Presbyter or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation, or as directed by the Bishop.

Applicants for the ministry of Evangelist are recommended by their Rector/Priest-in- Charge to the Bishop for licensing. The recommendation will outline the nature of the ministry envisaged and the qualities that the candidate would bring though exercising this ministry. The Bishop will refer candidates to EICS who will establish an appropriate training program. The Bishop may license a candidate prior to the completion of training. EICS will inform COMB of candidates who have been licensed.

The Evangelist is a confirmed communicant in good standing or, subject to guidelines established by the Bishop, a communicant in good standing. The Evangelist functions with the permission of the Bishop and under the direct supervision of the Bishop’s Office. Once licensed, the Evangelist functions at the discretion of the Bishop and under the direct supervision of the congregation’s Priest-in-Charge. Once licensed, the Evangelist serves solely at the discretion of the Priest-in-Charge.

Training

The Evangelist, under the direction of the Priest-in-Charge, will pursue a course of study devised by EICS appropriate to this ministry, and, if necessary, modified according to the applicant’s previous education and experience. The program may be primarily self-study or distance study and may include reading material, seminars, webinars or actual courses. The areas of study are:

• Holy Scriptures, interpretation, contents and background

2 CDSP CALL Modules, taken from for example: Old Testament Overview; Introduction to New Testament Interpretation; The Anglican Bible, Scriptural Conversation and Formation; The New Testament – the Parables.

• The Baptismal Covenant and its application to the ministry of all Christians

Part of ECIS liturgy module

• Individual and communal prayer

1-3 zoom sessions (or Spirituality retreat) with a Priest of the Convocation –

• An overview of Church history including current events in The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion

1 CDSP CALL module, such as: Changing Church: Mission, Leadership, and Beloved Community

• Christian ethics and moral theology

1 CDSP CALL module, such as: Facing Choices: ethics in the Anglican Church

• Evangelism

An on-line module will be provided

• Safeguarding God’s Children (Praesidium Training)
• Anti-Racism Training

Certification

The Evangelist license may be renewed every three years with annual evaluations from the Priest-in-Charge. The Bishop may issue a license while training is on- going. The license can be revoked by the Bishop upon request of the Priest- in- Charge.

Documentation

The Priest-in-Charge will maintain a confidential personnel file for the Evangelist which shall contain the following:

• Documentation of training, examination and competency in the areas listed above under “Training”
• Certification of the Evangelist’s completion of required diocesan training
• A copy of the application sent to the Bishop by the Priest- in-Charge
• A copy of the certificate from the Bishop licensing the person to be an Evangelist

Documentation of licensing of Evangelists will be maintained and displayed in the parish.

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