Ordinance of the Evangelical Church Council of the Canton of Thurgau on Lay Leadership of Religious Services - Legal Basis

1. The Church Constitution of November 27, 2000, stipulates in § 72 No. 18: The Church Council, upon request by a parochial council or on its own initiative, may exceptionally grant a suitable member of the national church the permission to preach and delegate the leadership of worship services.

2. The Church Order of February 17, 2014, provides in § 26: The Church Council may grant suitable persons the permission to lead worship services based on appropriate training. The details are regulated by an ordinance.

1. This regulation applies to persons who possess a license for leading worship services by laypersons in the sense of § 26 para. 4, or for leading communion services in the sense of § 55 para. 2 and para. 3 of the Church Order, or who wish to acquire such a license.

1. The Authorization to Conduct Worship Services entitles the holder to assume responsibility for leading and organizing regular Sunday services as a substitute within the territory of the Evangelical Church of the Canton of Thurgau.

2. The Authorization to Conduct Worship Services does not entitle the holder to perform baptisms, weddings, and funerals.

1. The permission to conduct communion services authorizes an individual to undertake the leadership and arrangement of communion services under special circumstances within the area of the Evangelical Reformed Church of the Canton of Thurgau.

2. The communion services under special circumstances specifically include

1. Public or non-public services in homes and institutions;

2. Non-public services in camps and community groups.

1. The congregational council of the location of deployment is responsible for the liturgical use of trained laypeople.

1. The Church Council regularly or as needed offers training programs for obtaining the authorization to lead worship services.

1. An individual may be admitted to the training program for leading worship services if they

a) submit a request to the authority designated by the Church Council, accompanied by a recommendation from a parish office or church leadership of the Evangelical Reformed Church of the Canton of Thurgau;

b) possess sufficient basic biblical and theological knowledge;

c) have successfully passed an admission interview with the program director.

1. The scope and content of the training program are determined by the Church Council upon the application of the specialist commission.

2. The training program concludes with a colloquium.

3. The authorization to conduct worship services is documented with a certificate upon passing the colloquium.

1. Due to special competencies or trainings completed elsewhere, the Church Council may also grant permission to lead worship services to individuals who have not participated in the cantonal church training program.

1. The Church Council regularly or as needed offers training for the conduct of Communion services.

2. The authorization to conduct Communion services is documented with a certificate upon successful completion of the training.

1. Eligible Participants for Training

Holders of permits for conducting worship services, as well as leaders of camps and community groups where Holy Communion is celebrated, can participate in the training.

1. The Church Council appoints a specialist commission comprised of 3 - 5 members.

1. The expert commission organizes at least one training annually for holders of the authorization to conduct worship services or to lead communion celebrations.

2. Participation in the training sessions is mandatory.

1. The church council maintains a register with the names of those currently authorized to conduct worship services and communion celebrations.

2. Anyone who does not undertake assignments for three consecutive years or, without valid reason, fails to respond to invitations for further training at least three times in a row will be removed from this register.

3. Until readmission into the register, the authorization remains suspended.

1. In justified cases, the church council may revoke the permission to conduct worship services or to lead communion celebrations from individual holders.

1. This regulation replaces the guidelines of the Evangelical Church Council for the Sermon Service of Laypersons in Worship Services dated March 6, 2002.

1. This Regulation shall enter into force on June 1, 2016.