IF YOU WANT TO SHARE IN THE MINISTRY OF YOUR CHURCH AND SERVE YOUR PARISH, YOU COULD BECOME A RECOGNISED PARISH ASSISTANT.
Recognised Parish Assistants (RPAs) serve in their local context, in church, parish, chaplaincy and at work. Rooted locally, RPAs work with the support of their PCC and alongside other Christians.
Recognised Parish Assistants (RPAs) serve in their local context, in church, parish, chaplaincy and at work. Rooted locally, RPAs work with the support of their PCC and alongside other Christians.
We now have over four hundred people who have completed the sixteen session course. The course begins by looking at how we share in God’s mission – what is God doing where we are, and how can we join in? We look at scriptural models for Christian discipleship and ministry. Seeking to grow in commitment and Christ-likeness we look at Jesus as servant and shepherd, at ourselves as the body of Christ. After this everyone spends four weeks together developing practical listening skills. These skills may be directly applied in pastoral work, visiting, etc and are useful too in our common life. Good listening is key to our growing in partnership with others who share God’s work where we are.
In the second part of the RPA course, members choose an area to work on: Worship, Pastoral work, Mission including Fresh Expressions, and Children and Young People (please note not all of these are offered on every course). At the end, everyone agrees with their home church (through the Vicar or other appointed person) a role description for their RPA work. Usually the ‘Recognition’ happens in public worship to let the church see the variety of ministry that it is supporting.
There will hopefully be other sorts of ministry in your church – welcomers, baptism visitors, musicians, lay worship leaders, toddler groups or schools work for example. Many who already use their gifts in your church will find that the RPA course gives knowledge and confidence. There may be others who are testing the water of a new call to deepen discipleship, ready to play a more active part. RPA might be just the thing to help that call became clearer.
If you are interested in becoming a Recognised Parish Assistant and want to find out more contact York School of Ministry by email or call 01904 699500.
There will hopefully be other sorts of ministry in your church – welcomers, baptism visitors, musicians, lay worship leaders, toddler groups or schools work for example. Many who already use their gifts in your church will find that the RPA course gives knowledge and confidence. There may be others who are testing the water of a new call to deepen discipleship, ready to play a more active part. RPA might be just the thing to help that call became clearer.
If you are interested in becoming a Recognised Parish Assistant and want to find out more contact York School of Ministry by email or call 01904 699500.
YSOM is the School of Ministry for the Diocese of York. For the Data Privacy Notice for the Diocese of York click here.
COPYRIGHT © 2001 - 2021 THE YORK DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE LTD. REGISTERED CHARITY 244976 - COMPANY LIMITED 22523
COPYRIGHT © 2001 - 2021 THE YORK DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE LTD. REGISTERED CHARITY 244976 - COMPANY LIMITED 22523
