Competencies for a person admitted as a Local Preacher

A preacher needs to know, and the church needs to be satisfied, that they are called and able to speak of being called by God. This calling is to follow as a disciple, to lead as a preacher of the gospel, and to show how both are lived out in their own life day by day.

1. The ability to relate their Christian experience.
2. The ability to articulate a call from God to be a preacher.
3. The ability to narrate their Christian experience and growth within it, with reference to the insights gained, challenges and difficulties experienced in training (SO 566 (3ii)).

The office of Local Preacher is particular to the Methodist Church; the call to this office is a call to exercise a responsibility in the leading of worship in a circuit, seeking to connect the people of God to God, and to share in the discipline and fellowship of the Local Preachers’ Meeting. The privilege of holding this office comes with comes with duties and responsibilities.

1. Fidelity to the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith and the Methodist doctrinal standards (SO 566 (4iii)).
2. The capacity to assure the Local Preachers’ Meeting that they accept and observe the duties of a Local Preacher as described in SO 563 (1-4).
3. An understanding of lay ministry within the Methodist Church in Britain.
4. A demonstrable and enthusiastic commitment to the Methodist Church in a local circuit and a clear articulation of a desire to serve Christ in that context.
5. An understanding of the diversity within the Methodist Church and the local circuit.

At the heart of a preacher should be an awareness of the love of God and a desire to know more of that love. This will be seen in the preacher’s life and ministry. Living in relationship with God can never be just about individual piety but is lived out in the community of the church.

1. A relationship with God that has the capacity to grow.
2. A personal commitment to Christ evidenced by active ministry in the local circuit.
3. A regular commitment to attending local worship, receiving Holy Communion and attending class or house group.

A Local Preacher by their commitment to discipleship is someone who seeks to live a holy life. Their commitment to following the way of Christ will be demonstrated not only in the way they lead worship but in the way they live out the call to holiness in their daily life.

1. The ability to take responsibility for the conduct of public worship.
2. A commitment to regular attendance at and participation in the Local Preachers’ Meeting.
3. Personal integrity demonstrated in taking responsibility for all the duties of a Local Preacher.
4. Integrity in living as a disciple of Christ.

The call to holiness is a call to social holiness in which faith is demonstrated through the integrity of one’s relationships with others within and beyond the life of the church.

1. The ability to work respectfully with all diversities inside and outside the church, valuing, amongst other things, the different gifts of lay and ordained Christians, including those from different social or ethnic backgrounds and those who represent a variety of theological understandings.
2. Recognition of the fundamental equality of all people before God.
3. The acceptance of the discipline of the Church.

Local Preachers are called to share in the mission of God; through Christ, God is reconciling the world to God. Local Preachers are therefore expected to view the world through a theological lens, to reflect theologically on what they see, and to speak to a world in need of God’s love.

1. The ability to see, and to draw the attention of others to, God at work in the world.
2. The ability to proclaim the good news of Christ Jesus with conviction and awareness of the local context and particularly the diversities present.
3. The ability to lead worship and preach with knowledge, conviction and competence (SO 563 (2i))
4. An awareness of the Global Methodist Church family.
5. An understanding of the ecumenical context of British Methodism.

The Local Preachers’ Meeting is one of the ways leadership is demonstrated in circuit life. By taking an active part in this meeting and by their preaching and leading of worship, a Local Preacher is expected to offer leadership in collaboration with others for the glory of God.

1. The capacity to take overall responsibility for an act of worship whilst seeking to work collaboratively (SO 563 (2vii & viii)).
2. The ability to recognise how different members of a congregation may be enabled to participate in worship.
3. Commitment to the circuit plan and a willingness to be responsive to the needs of the circuit.
4. Appropriate understanding of the status of the Local Preacher within the life of the circuit.

Being a disciple of Jesus is a journey of discovery upon which we learn new things about ourselves and God. Preachers are committed to continuing to develop their skills and understanding through learning and theological reflection, for the sake both of their own growth as a disciple and to equip themselves for a ministry that serves the needs of those to whom they are sent.

1. Demonstrable faithfulness in reading and studying the Scriptures.
2. Demonstrable commitment to ongoing learning (SO 566 (7)) through to a programme of Continuing Local Preacher Development.
3. Commitment to ongoing and appropriate training in safeguarding.
4. Regular attendance and participation in a class/house/fellowship group.
5. Knowledge of the doctrinal standards of the Methodist Church in Britain including a proven familiarity with Wesley’s sermons.
6. Demonstrable commitment to, and faithful participation in, the Local Preachers’ Meeting.
7. Demonstrable awareness of contemporary world events and ability to articulate a Christian response.

Communication is at the heart of a preacher’s ministry. Whilst this is often through words, a Local Preacher should seek to reflect what their whole being is saying about the good news of God.

1. An ability to lead worship according to recognised liturgical principles.
2. A proven ability to preach with knowledge, conviction and competence (SO 563 (2i)) in a variety of styles and contexts.
3. A proven ability to speak coherently about God, their Christian faith and their discipleship.