Church Admin

How your church can start taking card payments!

As fewer people carry cash, it’s becoming increasingly important for parishes to look at alternative ways to receive payments and donations.

There’s a new category on the Parish Buying website to help churches consider the different types of reader for contactless and chip and pin card payments.

Alongside small hand-held card readers (which cost as little as £19 each) there now are more sophisticated self-service donation units available for churches to buy.

To find out more visit www.parishbuying.org.uk/contactless

>> Churches that have trialled a digital collection box have reported a 97% increase in donations! Read more (from BBC News)

How can my Church start taking card payments?

Watch this short video from the National Stewardship Team: https://vimeo.com/album/5118798/video/265190588

How do I download an app to use my card reader?

Watch this short video from the National Stewardship Team: https://vimeo.com/album/5118798/video/265198072

Why should I set up products?

Watch this short video from the National Stewardship Team: https://vimeo.com/album/5118798/video/265201230

How do I claim Gift Aid on a card donation?

Watch this short video from the National Stewardship Team: https://vimeo.com/album/5118798/video/264576213

>> See also: Parish Giving Scheme

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If someone feels like God is calling them to something, however distant it may feel, the first port of call is to speak to their vicar (if you don’t have a vicar, you could speak to a supportive ordained or lay minister, for example the Area Dean or somebody who is helping lead services in your benefice). They will be able to have some initial conversations and help them work out the next steps. This may be to contact the Director of Ordinands and Vocations or it could be to try a module on the Certificate in Theology of Mission, and Ministry course (CTMM) which is run by the Director of Studies (DoS). If they are interested in Licensed Lay Ministry, there will be an option to explore this on their initial application to the course. However, this isn’t their only opportunity, as they are very welcome to contact the DoS at any point during their studies and express this interest.

The Diocese of Derby runs a flexible course which is delivered primarily online, with 3 in-person shared learning mornings per year. There is a helpful infographic in Appendix 3. The course runs annually, though modules can be applied for mid-year if applicable.

When someone begins studying on the CTMM course, they will receive their pathway document which will show them the journey they are currently on. If they have expressed an interest in becoming a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) this will include a Vocations Advisor (VA). This is someone who will journey with them, helping them work out in some more detail what God might be calling them to.

The training for Licensed Lay (Reader) ministry also has a discernment pathway, and so meetings with the VA are essential and counted as part of the course. Students will meet at least 3 times with a VA in the appropriate year of study, typically the second. The vocations process will culminate with an in-person interview with a discernment panel usually at the start of Term 3 (Autumn Term) of the year indicated on the pathway document. The panel then make a recommendation. This may be to continue into the final year of training, possibly with some areas to work on, or to complete the CTMM in a different kind of locally recognised ministry.

Neither is a success or a failure - it is just about helping you to fulfil God’s calling on your life at this time.

The qualities required for Licensed Lay (Reader) ministry can be found in Appendix 4. These are what the VA and the discernment panel, alongside the incumbent and course team will be exploring with the student. The final decision as to whether or not a candidate will be licensed rests solely with the Bishop of Derby.

A call to be an LLM(R) is distinctive and generally characterised by those three strands: Teaching the Faith, Enabling Mission in the Everyday, and Leading in Church and Society. This public and representative leadership, theologically literate teaching, and enabling of others does not have just one expression. Some LLM(R)s will have specialisms, or ‘shapes’ such as pioneering, chaplaincy, youth, children and families, all-age worship, or preaching to name a few. This breadth of ministry helps to encourage a genuine mixed ecology of church, and LLM(R)s are encouraged to share their specialist knowledge and practice with other churches if the opportunity arises.

Resources for Licensed Lay Ministers (Readers)

In brief: what is a reader?

Licensed Lay Ministers, also known as Readers, play an important role in the public ministry of the Church by leading worship, teaching and preaching, as well as in a wide range of missional and pastoral contexts. As theologically trained lay people they offer a ministry within the church and to the wider community; and are well placed to encourage people in their everyday faith. The office of Reader in the Church of England is governed by canon law (Canons E4, 5 & 6).

The ministry of individual Readers varies according to their gifting and mission context. Whilst most Readers minister collaboratively as part of a team of lay and ordained ministers some work very much on the margins of society sharing God’s love and message of hope to those who may not yet know it.

>> Read more

READERS ARE:

Called by God to a ministry of the Word
Licensed by the Bishop to exercise a public and representative lay ministry in Church and the wider community
Theologically trained and equipped as:
- teachers of the faith
- enablers of mission in the everyday
- leaders in church and community

Some Readers are also trained and authorised by the Bishop to offer funeral ministry, some are authorised to lead Communion by Extension services.

What is a Reader?

Becoming a Reader

Reader Renewals and Returns

Contact us

Bishop of Derby's St Peter's Churchyard Fund - Application for loan

If you are unsure as to the cicumstances in which you can apply for an interest free loan under this scheme, or have any other questions about the terms, don't hesitate to contact the Head of Finance

EITHER download 'fill in by hand' application to fill out in your own hand, OR

download this 'form field' application, fill in on screen, save and print off, sign and date.

The completed applications must be with the Diocesan Secretary a full month before the Business Committee meeting

Buying wisely - bulk buying discounts at Parish Buying

The Church of England nationally has negotiated some bulk buying deals to help parishes to cut costs in such areas as energy, photocopying, office supplies and computer software. For the latest details see the Parish Buying website.

Common Fund Reports 2021

FEES 2021

COMMON FUND REPORTS 2020

FEES 2020

Contactless collections

How your church can start taking card payments!

COMMON FUND REPORTS 2019

COMMON FUND REPORTS 2018

Looking after your building

Strategic buildings review

Resources for buildings

Becoming a reader

Resources for Licensed Lay Ministers (Readers)

In brief: what is a reader?

READERS ARE:

Bishop of Derby's St Peter's Churchyard Fund - Application for loan

Buying wisely - bulk buying discounts at Parish Buying

Clergy MDR

Clergy Training

General Administration

Buildings

More...

Church Admin

Contact and Find Us

Derby Church House