Individuals without previous learning or experience
Every person appointed to a Local Lay-Pastor role will have demonstrated the potential to be a competent Local Lay-Pastor, but some may have not had previous opportunities to develop those skills or undertake formal learning. The typical Local Lay-Pastor programme of learning will enable them to work towards meeting the competencies and achieve accreditation.
A Local Lay-Pastor's development and learning is delivered through two methods: local mentoring by their line-manager in the Circuit and modules taught and assessed through Cliff College.
Where a Local Lay-Pastor has little previous experience or learning, the line-manager relationship is crucial in ensuring the initial duties are matched to the level of competency in the early stages of their development.
We have designed some forms to help in the process of setting learning objectives and capturing achievements as a Local Lay-Pastor learns, which can be found on the Resources and Forms page.
Individuals with previous learning and experience
When an individual with previous experience or learning is appointed as a Local Lay-Pastor, a journey of discernment begins. The line-manager should work with the Local Lay-Pastor to ascertain where previous learning has covered the content of the six modules delivered by Cliff College and where previous experience enables them to meet the competencies.
During the probation period, the line-manager must assess whether the individual is able to meet the competencies in their practice as this will form part of the evidence for a request for accreditation using previous learning and experience. We have provided forms that will support the line-management relationship, enabling assessment of competencies and supporting the identification of areas for development, which can be found on the Resources and Forms page.
Where a Circuit has identified that previous learning and experience meets the competencies and covers modules delivered at Cliff College, then the line-manager and/or Superintendent should liaise with Ministries to ascertain an individualised pathway to accreditation. This can be done by contacting Gary Hopkins, the officer who oversees Local Lay-Pastors, who will advise the Circuit in completing The Accreditation of Prior Learning and Experience Form, found on the Resources and Forms page. The form must be completed for a formal confirmation of the individualised pathway to accreditation.