What is the Foundation course?
The Foundation course is part of the suite of resources supporting people exploring ministry on the Lay Ministries Pathway. Designed to give a broad and essential grounding, it introduces the foundational areas of Christian life, ministry, and Anglican practice that support informed and prayerful discernment.
What the course covers
- Faith and witness – Living and telling the story of Jesus
- Prayer and spirituality – Developing personal prayer and praying with others
- Bible – Biblical foundations for ministry and mission
- Church – Understanding the Church as building, people, and organisation
- Listening and self-awareness – Listening well, self-awareness, and attending to personal formation
- World view – Inclusivity, diversity, and caring for God’s creation
- Discerning call – Vocation, accountability, and working as part of a team: understanding the nature of public ministry.
A flexible course
This flexible resource can be used as a complete course or as individual stand-alone sessions. It works equally well with large groups, small groups, or in one-to-one settings. As a foundation for ministry, it assumes participants are already baptised and confirmed (or formally received into the Anglican Church) and therefore have a basic understanding of the Christian faith. Whilst not everyone will need to complete the full course, it is a good starting point and offers a foundation for going on to explore the core gifts and skills of a particular ministry. It has been used as a vocational tool for small groups or home groups to begin a conversation around ministry.
Its relationship with the Core Gifts and Skills resources
Each Lay Ministry has a Core Gifts and Skills resource which frequently references and builds upon the material in the Foundation course. Facilitators are therefore encouraged to be familiar with the content of the Foundation course.
Even if familiar with some topics, participants will need to explore and confirm these foundations before progressing on the Lay Ministries Pathway.
Safeguarding notice
All those who go on to exercise ministry on behalf of the church are safely recruited following DBS checks and safeguarding training.