While our expectation in the Episcopal Church is that preaching is an activity of the clergy, our church has a long tradition of lay people preaching. Preaching is one of the seven licensed ministries for lay people recognized in the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church. In our Diocese, the use of lay preachers began in the 1880s when the bishop gave certain lay people the “power to exhort” in worship, meaning the authority to preach. These lay preachers served in large and small congregations, especially in the Black Belt.

In 2023 the diocese began offering a Lay Preaching Course. This course equips lay people to preach sermons that connect Scripture and theology with the life of their congregation. These lay preachers fill vital needs in communities without regular clergy and add a new preaching perspective in congregations with clergy.

Students in the Lay Preaching Course gather online and in person to study preaching and leading worship. Students will learn about biblical exegesis, storytelling, sermon forms, and oral presentation. Students will prepare and deliver several sermons and will receive feedback from their peers and clergy. Students will also take part in individual homiletical coaching sessions. Upon successful completion of the course, the students may apply to the bishop for consideration for licensing as lay preachers.

Class Schedules

The 2024 schedule will be announced soon.

Students will participate in 4-6 synchronous Zoom sessions, as well as in-person sessions in Birmingham.

Students will also preach in their context, and submit a recording.

In addition to synchronous sessions, students will be expected to complete asynchronous work, including discussion boards, video lectures, and preaching in their context. Students must attend all sessions.