HOW TO BECOME A LAY PREACHER? |
The office of Lay Preacher is regulated in the NELCSA Church Laws, specifically in the Congregational Code § 56.
The current wording is copied in at the end.
In execution of the Church Law, this document outlines the process and rules to be followed in becoming a Lay Preacher.
A. Course Work
Attend Training Modules: At first, a candidate has to attend all qualifying Module 1 and Module 2 Lay Preacher Modules. In person, 3 hour are courses qualifying. 90 minute Zoom session plus a written assignment also are qualifying. At least one module of each of the five topics listed below, must be in-person modules.
These are the required modules:
* Bible (Overview and Methods of Interpretation) (Module 1 and 2)
* Homiletics (How to prepare a devotion and a sermon) (Module 1 and 2),
* Lutheran Theology (Module 1 and 2),
* Liturgy (How to conduct a worship service) (Module 1 and 2).
* Hermeneutics (Why Lutherans interpret the Bible in a specific way) One module
We recommend also participating in
- Counselling (Listening skills) One module
- Christian Education (Good teaching strategies esp for younger congregants) One module
Participation in the nine modules in the starred list is a prerequisite for admission to assessment. Candidates who have done courses elsewhere may apply to the Churchwide Co-Worker Training Co-ordinator to have these courses recognised as equivalent of some of the courses required.
Modules are open to any congregation member who wishes to further their knowledge on the topics, and attendance does not automatically imply that the further steps below will follow.
B. Involving congregational leadership
i. Notifying: While participating in coursework, candidates who want to become lay preachers are encouraged to engage with the leadership of their congregation and indicate this intention. The congregational council and the pastor should, within a reasonable time frame give a response to the candidate whether they support the candidate’s intention to become a lay preacher.
ii. Mentoring/Coaching: During this time, such candidates should be mentored by their local pastor or a pastor appointed to them by the dean of their circuit in the process of preparing a sermon, and should practice the holding of services under the supervision of the responsible pastor or congregational leader.
iii. Trial Runs/Practice Services: During the final period of course work, candidates should prepare at least two sermons and/or services guided by the following assessment criteria under the supervision of their local pastor or the mentor appointed for them.
C. Assessment
In order for a candidate to be assessed, the local pastor and congregational council shall appraise the suitability of a candidate in their specific congregation. If the candidate is found suitable, they shall apply to the circuit lay preacher co-ordinator for the lay preacher to be assessed, with the intention of appointing him/ her.
The Church-wide & Circuit Lay Preacher Co-ordinators, in consultation with the local pastor & candidate, shall then assign a sermon text and Sunday at least ten weeks in advance. The candidate is given at least six weeks to submit a written preparation and sermon. The Church-wide & Circuit Lay Preacher Co-ordinators shall assign two pastors to examine the written preparation of the sermon independently. Their identity is not disclosed to the candidate.
The candidate has to hand in preparation and sermon as a Word document to the lay preacher coordinator of the circuit. This is submitted to the examining pastors at least four weeks before the date of the assigned Sunday, and they shall submit their evaluation to the circuit Lay Preacher Co-ordinator at least two weeks before the Sunday.
If the candidate passes,the held service will be evaluated. A representative appointed by the circuit lay preacher co-ordinator (if possible a pastor) and two inducted lay preachers from the circuit, outside the congregation, are asked to attend the service held by the candidate and write a short assessment.
Should the candidate not pass the written evaluation, the response to him/her shall indicate reasons and areas of improvement required.
The written preparation of the sermon should contain, not necessarily in this order:
(Percentages are an indication of relative weighting only.).
(Resources are given in the appendix and loaded on the website)
1. Self-awareness (5 %)Awareness of your immediate reaction, your feelings about the text, what you immediately thought of saying about it, and possible presuppositions, injuries, and assumptions you bring to the text.
2. Work with the biblical text (15 %)Using of different translations and an interlinear bible to show understanding of possible variations of translation.
Context of the actual text in the chapter and in the book with references to the background and purposes of the specific book that relate to this specific text - a commentary/ study Bible is to be used.
The historical and social context of the text, and the impact thereof on the meaning of the text is to be considered: What is the likely situation of the addressees, and what questions of theirs does the text address? What is the issue the text deals with?
Where are parallels or similar texts in the New and Old Testament? In what respects does this affirm the message of the text? In which way is the particular text different and has a special message?
Studies of important words / concepts: What are the keywords in the text? How should they be interpreted them? A commentary, Bible dictionary and concordance should be used.
The genre of the text should be identified, and the implication thereof for the meaning of the text should be considered.
From the considerations above, a provisional core message should be identified.
3. Theological reflection (10 %)Following questions should be considered:
How do the themes of the text relate to the salvation given to us by God through Christ?
Is the text law, admonishment to repent, assurance of grace, praise for grace received, call to faith, admonishment to live out faith, expression of trust in God ...?
How does the distinction of Law and Gospel impact the interpretation of this text?
How does the message identified differ from what a secular counsellor/ motivator could say, or what someone who believes in law as a way to salvation could say?
Revision of the provisionally identified core message(s).
4. Homiletic work with the text (10 %)What is the situation of the congregation to which the sermon will be held? What is the daily life experience concerning the issues identifies in the text analysis in the present-day congregation? How would a congregant that you know react to the text?– Describe!
What might the relation of the issue of the biblical text to the situation of congregants be?
Decide and motivate your choice of main intention/issue of the sermon.
Decide and motivate your choice of structure of the sermon.
Decide and motivate the subtopics / steps of your sermon.
What is the rhetoric structure/ the logical flow of your sermon?
Describe the relation of sermon to the service: Church year, liturgy, readings, prayers, hymns/songs.
Present an order of service, including hymn selections and prayers.
5. The Sermon (40 %)The main criteria for the evaluation of sermon will be:
Does the sermon reflect the identified main issue of the biblical text and relate it to the situation of the congregation? Individual theological decisions made and motivated and the focus chosen by candidates have to be accepted.
The sections above are evaluated on the basis of the written preparation. Written comments of the examining pastors on the preparation and sermon will be shared with the candidate. The candidate will be informed whether they have passed the evaluation of the written preparation and sermon or not, but no mark shall be given.
6. The Service (20 %)Should the written preparation presented be passed by the examiners, the candidate shall hold the assessment service. The candidate may modify the sermon based on the comments of the examiners.
The held service shall be evaluated by a theologian and two inducted lay preachers or other suitable assessors appointed by the circuit co-worker co-ordinator.
Evaluation criteria shall be:
Liturgical and rhetoric presence: Can one understand her/his speaking? Does the candidate move and act in a respectful and assured way?
Harmony of liturgy, prayers and sermon: Can a coherent theme and good flow and development in the service be discerned?
7. Discussion with the candidate about service and sermon
Directly afterwards, the service held is discussed with the candidate by the theologian and other assessors attending.
After this discussion the candidate will be informed whether they passed the assessment. No percentage mark will be given to the candidates. Areas of improvement will be discussed.
Approved by the Coworker Co-ordinators 23.08.2013
Modified by Detlev Tönsing 4.12.2023
Modified by church council members delegated to do so Nov 2024
Modified by Co-Worker Co-ordinators 7 Nov 2024
Approved by Church Council Feb 2025
Church Law of NELCSA
Congregational Code, Chapter 8, Section 56-58Section 56 Lay Preachers(1) Congregation members may take over duties of public preaching during worship services as Lay Preachers. They are appointed by Church Council. Lay Preachers shall, in the first instance, do duty in their own congregation, but by invitation and after consultation with the local Pastor, they may perform duties in other congregations. They must be suitable for this service and be eligible to become Congregational Councillors.
(2) Congregation members may be appointed to this post by the Bishop if a corresponding proposal is made by the local Pastor and the Congregational Council. Prior to the appointment the Lay Preacher shall complete a training course under the supervision of Church Council. Lay Preachers are obliged to participate in in-service training courses.
(3) Lay Preachers are inducted into their post by the Dean or a Pastor appointed by him to do so. The Bishop shall issue a certificate of appointment to the Lay Preacher.
(4) The appointment is valid for 4 years, but may be extended.
(5) The appointment shall end:
(a) when the appointed term has expired. The appointment may be extended on application by Congregational Council and Pastor. A further induction is not necessary.
(b) when the Lay Preacher declines the appointment and returns his certificate of appointment.
(c) when the appointment is withdrawn for good reasons. In this case Congregational Council and the Lay Preacher shall be heard.
(6) The local Pastor supervises the Lay Preacher.
(7) Lay Preachers perform their services without remuneration. If they perform a service in another congregation than their own, that congregation shall reimburse them for their expenses according to the guidelines of the Church.
(8) Lay Preachers may use the pulpit and altar for their service.
(9) With their consent Lay Preachers may be commissioned by Church Council to lead a congregation and/or to administer the Sacraments.
(10) Lay Preachers may be invited to attend Pastors’ Conventions.
(11) Lay Preachers are bound by the constitution and laws of the Church and Code of the Congregations in which they perform their services.
Section 57 Lay Readers(1) Lay Readers are congregation members who have been appointed to conduct services by making use of prepared sermons, or who conduct portions of the liturgy. They must be suitable for this service and be eligible to become Congregational Councillors.
(2) The appointment is made by Congregational Council. It must be preceded by a period of training, for which Congregational Council is responsible.
(3) Lay Readers are inducted into office by the local Pastor, and are subject to his supervision.
(4) If Lay Readers occasionally perform duties in another congregation than their own, no additional induction in that congregation is necessary. In this case they will merely be introduced by a member of the local Congregational Council.
(5) The appointment is valid for 4 years.
(6) The appointment may be cancelled with immediate effect if the local Congregational Council; so, decides. No reasons for its decision need be given. The local Pastor, who may propose the cancellation of the appointment, must in any event be requested to give his opinion.
(7) Lay Readers may decline the appointment. Congregational Council must be informed.
(8) The appointment may be renewed on request. In this case it is not necessary to repeat the induction.
(9) For the duration of their appointment, Lay Readers may perform their service in any congregation of the Church, if the respective local Pastors agree.
(10) Lay Readers may use the pulpit and altar for their service.
(11) Lay Readers are bound by the constitution and laws of the Church and Rules of the Congregations in which they perform their services.
(12) Lay Readers perform their services without remuneration. If they perform a service in another congregation than their own, that congregation shall reimburse them for their expenses according to the guidelines of the Church.
(13) Lay Readers may alter prepared sermons where expressions or examples are used which may not be applicable or which appear difficult to be understood. Any other changes should first be discussed with the local Pastor.
(14) Lay Readers are obliged to participate in in-service training courses from time to time.
Section 57 A Lay Administrators of Sacraments(1) Congregation members may take over the administration of Holy Communion during worship services as Lay Administrators of Sacraments. They are appointed by Church Council. Lay Administrators of Sacraments shall, in the first instance, do duty in their own Congregation, but by invitation and after consultation with the local Pastor, they may perform duties in other congregations. They must be suitable for this service and be eligible to become Congregational Councillors.
(2) Congregation members may be appointed to this post by the Bishop if a corresponding proposal is made by the local Pastor and the Congregational Council. Prior to the appointment the Lay Administrator of Sacraments shall complete a training course under the supervision of Church Council.
(3) Lay Administrators of Sacraments are inducted into their post by the Dean or a Pastor appointed by him to do so. The Bishop shall issue a certificate of appointment to the Lay Administrator of Sacraments.
(4) The appointment is valid for 4 years, but may be extended.
(5) The appointment shall end:
(a) when the appointed term has expired. The appointment may be extended on application by Congregational Council and Pastor. A further induction is not necessary.
(b) when the Lay Administrator of Sacraments declines the appointment and returns his certificate of appointment.
(c) when the appointment is withdrawn for good reasons. In this case Congregational Council and the Lay Administrator of Sacraments shall be heard.
(6) The local Pastor supervises the Lay Administrator of Sacraments.
(7) Lay Administrators of Sacraments perform their services without remuneration. If they perform a service in another Congregation than their own, that Congregation shall reimburse them for their expenses according to the guidelines of the Church.
(8) Lay Administrators of Sacraments are bound by the constitution and laws of the Church and Rules of the Congregations in which they perform their services.
Resources for Lay Preachers
Working with the Biblical Text:
Downloadable Bible: www.e-sword.net/support.html
(Includes commentaries that can be downloaded)
Online Bibles: (http://www.biblegateway.com ); https://biblehub.com/
Interlinear bible (http://www.interlinearbible.org )
Commentaries: (http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/)
Biblical Background: https://bibleproject.com/, Wikipedia.org, http://www.bibelwissenschaft.de/wibilex/ - German)
Liturgy / Sermon resources:
From NELCSA: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jelyH8oLIofDfy1Q6KLeWC0xD6Qlo9-m?usp=drive_link
Other English-language Lutheran Churches typically use the Revised Common Lectionary, different from our lectionary. However, resources can be useful and one may also use the sermon text of that lectionary:
https://www.lca.org.au/worship/wpp/
https://www.worship.ca/resource/
German:
https://www.velkd.de/schwerpunkte/liturgie
Reader Sermons:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1tqFOUy3ue2ObXS6GNKd6IEWCYe9L-2Zm?usp=drive_link
Many NELCSA congregations send out written sermons or post them on their website.
The current wording is copied in at the end.
In execution of the Church Law, this document outlines the process and rules to be followed in becoming a Lay Preacher.
A. Course Work
Attend Training Modules: At first, a candidate has to attend all qualifying Module 1 and Module 2 Lay Preacher Modules. In person, 3 hour are courses qualifying. 90 minute Zoom session plus a written assignment also are qualifying. At least one module of each of the five topics listed below, must be in-person modules.
These are the required modules:
* Bible (Overview and Methods of Interpretation) (Module 1 and 2)
* Homiletics (How to prepare a devotion and a sermon) (Module 1 and 2),
* Lutheran Theology (Module 1 and 2),
* Liturgy (How to conduct a worship service) (Module 1 and 2).
* Hermeneutics (Why Lutherans interpret the Bible in a specific way) One module
We recommend also participating in
- Counselling (Listening skills) One module
- Christian Education (Good teaching strategies esp for younger congregants) One module
Participation in the nine modules in the starred list is a prerequisite for admission to assessment. Candidates who have done courses elsewhere may apply to the Churchwide Co-Worker Training Co-ordinator to have these courses recognised as equivalent of some of the courses required.
Modules are open to any congregation member who wishes to further their knowledge on the topics, and attendance does not automatically imply that the further steps below will follow.
B. Involving congregational leadership
i. Notifying: While participating in coursework, candidates who want to become lay preachers are encouraged to engage with the leadership of their congregation and indicate this intention. The congregational council and the pastor should, within a reasonable time frame give a response to the candidate whether they support the candidate’s intention to become a lay preacher.
ii. Mentoring/Coaching: During this time, such candidates should be mentored by their local pastor or a pastor appointed to them by the dean of their circuit in the process of preparing a sermon, and should practice the holding of services under the supervision of the responsible pastor or congregational leader.
iii. Trial Runs/Practice Services: During the final period of course work, candidates should prepare at least two sermons and/or services guided by the following assessment criteria under the supervision of their local pastor or the mentor appointed for them.
C. Assessment
In order for a candidate to be assessed, the local pastor and congregational council shall appraise the suitability of a candidate in their specific congregation. If the candidate is found suitable, they shall apply to the circuit lay preacher co-ordinator for the lay preacher to be assessed, with the intention of appointing him/ her.
The Church-wide & Circuit Lay Preacher Co-ordinators, in consultation with the local pastor & candidate, shall then assign a sermon text and Sunday at least ten weeks in advance. The candidate is given at least six weeks to submit a written preparation and sermon. The Church-wide & Circuit Lay Preacher Co-ordinators shall assign two pastors to examine the written preparation of the sermon independently. Their identity is not disclosed to the candidate.
The candidate has to hand in preparation and sermon as a Word document to the lay preacher coordinator of the circuit. This is submitted to the examining pastors at least four weeks before the date of the assigned Sunday, and they shall submit their evaluation to the circuit Lay Preacher Co-ordinator at least two weeks before the Sunday.
If the candidate passes,the held service will be evaluated. A representative appointed by the circuit lay preacher co-ordinator (if possible a pastor) and two inducted lay preachers from the circuit, outside the congregation, are asked to attend the service held by the candidate and write a short assessment.
Should the candidate not pass the written evaluation, the response to him/her shall indicate reasons and areas of improvement required.
The written preparation of the sermon should contain, not necessarily in this order:
(Percentages are an indication of relative weighting only.).
(Resources are given in the appendix and loaded on the website)
1. Self-awareness (5 %)Awareness of your immediate reaction, your feelings about the text, what you immediately thought of saying about it, and possible presuppositions, injuries, and assumptions you bring to the text.
2. Work with the biblical text (15 %)Using of different translations and an interlinear bible to show understanding of possible variations of translation.
Context of the actual text in the chapter and in the book with references to the background and purposes of the specific book that relate to this specific text - a commentary/ study Bible is to be used.
The historical and social context of the text, and the impact thereof on the meaning of the text is to be considered: What is the likely situation of the addressees, and what questions of theirs does the text address? What is the issue the text deals with?
Where are parallels or similar texts in the New and Old Testament? In what respects does this affirm the message of the text? In which way is the particular text different and has a special message?
Studies of important words / concepts: What are the keywords in the text? How should they be interpreted them? A commentary, Bible dictionary and concordance should be used.
The genre of the text should be identified, and the implication thereof for the meaning of the text should be considered.
From the considerations above, a provisional core message should be identified.
3. Theological reflection (10 %)Following questions should be considered:
How do the themes of the text relate to the salvation given to us by God through Christ?
Is the text law, admonishment to repent, assurance of grace, praise for grace received, call to faith, admonishment to live out faith, expression of trust in God ...?
How does the distinction of Law and Gospel impact the interpretation of this text?
How does the message identified differ from what a secular counsellor/ motivator could say, or what someone who believes in law as a way to salvation could say?
Revision of the provisionally identified core message(s).
4. Homiletic work with the text (10 %)What is the situation of the congregation to which the sermon will be held? What is the daily life experience concerning the issues identifies in the text analysis in the present-day congregation? How would a congregant that you know react to the text?– Describe!
What might the relation of the issue of the biblical text to the situation of congregants be?
Decide and motivate your choice of main intention/issue of the sermon.
Decide and motivate your choice of structure of the sermon.
Decide and motivate the subtopics / steps of your sermon.
What is the rhetoric structure/ the logical flow of your sermon?
Describe the relation of sermon to the service: Church year, liturgy, readings, prayers, hymns/songs.
Present an order of service, including hymn selections and prayers.
5. The Sermon (40 %)The main criteria for the evaluation of sermon will be:
Does the sermon reflect the identified main issue of the biblical text and relate it to the situation of the congregation? Individual theological decisions made and motivated and the focus chosen by candidates have to be accepted.
The sections above are evaluated on the basis of the written preparation. Written comments of the examining pastors on the preparation and sermon will be shared with the candidate. The candidate will be informed whether they have passed the evaluation of the written preparation and sermon or not, but no mark shall be given.
6. The Service (20 %)Should the written preparation presented be passed by the examiners, the candidate shall hold the assessment service. The candidate may modify the sermon based on the comments of the examiners.
The held service shall be evaluated by a theologian and two inducted lay preachers or other suitable assessors appointed by the circuit co-worker co-ordinator.
Evaluation criteria shall be:
Liturgical and rhetoric presence: Can one understand her/his speaking? Does the candidate move and act in a respectful and assured way?
Harmony of liturgy, prayers and sermon: Can a coherent theme and good flow and development in the service be discerned?
7. Discussion with the candidate about service and sermon
Directly afterwards, the service held is discussed with the candidate by the theologian and other assessors attending.
After this discussion the candidate will be informed whether they passed the assessment. No percentage mark will be given to the candidates. Areas of improvement will be discussed.
Approved by the Coworker Co-ordinators 23.08.2013
Modified by Detlev Tönsing 4.12.2023
Modified by church council members delegated to do so Nov 2024
Modified by Co-Worker Co-ordinators 7 Nov 2024
Approved by Church Council Feb 2025
Church Law of NELCSA
Congregational Code, Chapter 8, Section 56-58Section 56 Lay Preachers(1) Congregation members may take over duties of public preaching during worship services as Lay Preachers. They are appointed by Church Council. Lay Preachers shall, in the first instance, do duty in their own congregation, but by invitation and after consultation with the local Pastor, they may perform duties in other congregations. They must be suitable for this service and be eligible to become Congregational Councillors.
(2) Congregation members may be appointed to this post by the Bishop if a corresponding proposal is made by the local Pastor and the Congregational Council. Prior to the appointment the Lay Preacher shall complete a training course under the supervision of Church Council. Lay Preachers are obliged to participate in in-service training courses.
(3) Lay Preachers are inducted into their post by the Dean or a Pastor appointed by him to do so. The Bishop shall issue a certificate of appointment to the Lay Preacher.
(4) The appointment is valid for 4 years, but may be extended.
(5) The appointment shall end:
(a) when the appointed term has expired. The appointment may be extended on application by Congregational Council and Pastor. A further induction is not necessary.
(b) when the Lay Preacher declines the appointment and returns his certificate of appointment.
(c) when the appointment is withdrawn for good reasons. In this case Congregational Council and the Lay Preacher shall be heard.
(6) The local Pastor supervises the Lay Preacher.
(7) Lay Preachers perform their services without remuneration. If they perform a service in another congregation than their own, that congregation shall reimburse them for their expenses according to the guidelines of the Church.
(8) Lay Preachers may use the pulpit and altar for their service.
(9) With their consent Lay Preachers may be commissioned by Church Council to lead a congregation and/or to administer the Sacraments.
(10) Lay Preachers may be invited to attend Pastors’ Conventions.
(11) Lay Preachers are bound by the constitution and laws of the Church and Code of the Congregations in which they perform their services.
Section 57 Lay Readers(1) Lay Readers are congregation members who have been appointed to conduct services by making use of prepared sermons, or who conduct portions of the liturgy. They must be suitable for this service and be eligible to become Congregational Councillors.
(2) The appointment is made by Congregational Council. It must be preceded by a period of training, for which Congregational Council is responsible.
(3) Lay Readers are inducted into office by the local Pastor, and are subject to his supervision.
(4) If Lay Readers occasionally perform duties in another congregation than their own, no additional induction in that congregation is necessary. In this case they will merely be introduced by a member of the local Congregational Council.
(5) The appointment is valid for 4 years.
(6) The appointment may be cancelled with immediate effect if the local Congregational Council; so, decides. No reasons for its decision need be given. The local Pastor, who may propose the cancellation of the appointment, must in any event be requested to give his opinion.
(7) Lay Readers may decline the appointment. Congregational Council must be informed.
(8) The appointment may be renewed on request. In this case it is not necessary to repeat the induction.
(9) For the duration of their appointment, Lay Readers may perform their service in any congregation of the Church, if the respective local Pastors agree.
(10) Lay Readers may use the pulpit and altar for their service.
(11) Lay Readers are bound by the constitution and laws of the Church and Rules of the Congregations in which they perform their services.
(12) Lay Readers perform their services without remuneration. If they perform a service in another congregation than their own, that congregation shall reimburse them for their expenses according to the guidelines of the Church.
(13) Lay Readers may alter prepared sermons where expressions or examples are used which may not be applicable or which appear difficult to be understood. Any other changes should first be discussed with the local Pastor.
(14) Lay Readers are obliged to participate in in-service training courses from time to time.
Section 57 A Lay Administrators of Sacraments(1) Congregation members may take over the administration of Holy Communion during worship services as Lay Administrators of Sacraments. They are appointed by Church Council. Lay Administrators of Sacraments shall, in the first instance, do duty in their own Congregation, but by invitation and after consultation with the local Pastor, they may perform duties in other congregations. They must be suitable for this service and be eligible to become Congregational Councillors.
(2) Congregation members may be appointed to this post by the Bishop if a corresponding proposal is made by the local Pastor and the Congregational Council. Prior to the appointment the Lay Administrator of Sacraments shall complete a training course under the supervision of Church Council.
(3) Lay Administrators of Sacraments are inducted into their post by the Dean or a Pastor appointed by him to do so. The Bishop shall issue a certificate of appointment to the Lay Administrator of Sacraments.
(4) The appointment is valid for 4 years, but may be extended.
(5) The appointment shall end:
(a) when the appointed term has expired. The appointment may be extended on application by Congregational Council and Pastor. A further induction is not necessary.
(b) when the Lay Administrator of Sacraments declines the appointment and returns his certificate of appointment.
(c) when the appointment is withdrawn for good reasons. In this case Congregational Council and the Lay Administrator of Sacraments shall be heard.
(6) The local Pastor supervises the Lay Administrator of Sacraments.
(7) Lay Administrators of Sacraments perform their services without remuneration. If they perform a service in another Congregation than their own, that Congregation shall reimburse them for their expenses according to the guidelines of the Church.
(8) Lay Administrators of Sacraments are bound by the constitution and laws of the Church and Rules of the Congregations in which they perform their services.
Resources for Lay Preachers
Working with the Biblical Text:
Downloadable Bible: www.e-sword.net/support.html
(Includes commentaries that can be downloaded)
Online Bibles: (http://www.biblegateway.com ); https://biblehub.com/
Interlinear bible (http://www.interlinearbible.org )
Commentaries: (http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/)
Biblical Background: https://bibleproject.com/, Wikipedia.org, http://www.bibelwissenschaft.de/wibilex/ - German)
Liturgy / Sermon resources:
From NELCSA: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jelyH8oLIofDfy1Q6KLeWC0xD6Qlo9-m?usp=drive_link
Other English-language Lutheran Churches typically use the Revised Common Lectionary, different from our lectionary. However, resources can be useful and one may also use the sermon text of that lectionary:
https://www.lca.org.au/worship/wpp/
https://www.worship.ca/resource/
German:
https://www.velkd.de/schwerpunkte/liturgie
Reader Sermons:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1tqFOUy3ue2ObXS6GNKd6IEWCYe9L-2Zm?usp=drive_link
Many NELCSA congregations send out written sermons or post them on their website.