Lay Catechist Certificate
According to the Constitutions and Canons of the Episcopal Church, "a Catechist is a lay person authorized to prepare persons for Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, and the Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows, and shall function under the direction of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith" (Canon III.4.8).
In order to begin taking classes for this lay program, you must provide a letter of support from your parish priest. If your church is without a priest, a letter of support from your senior warden will suffice. That letter should be emailed to the Rev. Fran Wheeler, BKSM registrar, at [email protected].
Licenses for all canonical lay ministries are issued by the bishop of one’s diocese. If you have any questions about this process, please reach out to your bishop's office.
Required Courses
Each course must be taken for credit. Students follow all the usual BKSM academic policies and procedures. After you have successfully completed the six courses listed below, BKSM will award you a certificate of completion and forward your transcript to your bishop.
Once you are admitted into the program, the Rev. Fran Wheeler will send you an email with your course of study. In the meantime, you will find the 2025-26 course schedule here.
Retreat & Student Orientation Courses
You are invited, though not required to attend the July retreat for second-year priest/deacon and lay studies students at Christ's Peace House of Prayer in Easton, Kansas. You will find retreat information here.
BKSM also offers two online orientation sessions each summer. You will receive that information directly from BKSM after your registration is confirmed.
To get started, fill out the Contact Us form or Register for a Course.
In order to begin taking classes for this lay program, you must provide a letter of support from your parish priest. If your church is without a priest, a letter of support from your senior warden will suffice. That letter should be emailed to the Rev. Fran Wheeler, BKSM registrar, at [email protected].
Licenses for all canonical lay ministries are issued by the bishop of one’s diocese. If you have any questions about this process, please reach out to your bishop's office.
Required Courses
Each course must be taken for credit. Students follow all the usual BKSM academic policies and procedures. After you have successfully completed the six courses listed below, BKSM will award you a certificate of completion and forward your transcript to your bishop.
- Adult Catechesis and Formation
- Theology of Education Ministry
- The Contemporary Catechumenate
- Christian History
- Anglican Spirituality
- One elective in a subject matter (Bible, history, etc.) relevant to the catechetical needs in one's particular congregational setting.
Once you are admitted into the program, the Rev. Fran Wheeler will send you an email with your course of study. In the meantime, you will find the 2025-26 course schedule here.
Retreat & Student Orientation Courses
You are invited, though not required to attend the July retreat for second-year priest/deacon and lay studies students at Christ's Peace House of Prayer in Easton, Kansas. You will find retreat information here.
BKSM also offers two online orientation sessions each summer. You will receive that information directly from BKSM after your registration is confirmed.
To get started, fill out the Contact Us form or Register for a Course.