Lay leaders gather to celebrate Archbishop’s Certificate graduation

By Caralyn Lammas
Coordinator of Education Programs, St Barnabas College

Thirty students from 17 parishes across the Anglican Diocese of Adelaide gathered at St Luke’s Church, Whitmore Square, on 12 May to celebrate their graduation from the Archbishop’s Certificate program.

The Archbishop’s Certificate is a suite of short courses from St Barnabas College, offering education for lay people throughout the diocese. Designed to support the development of lay leaders, the program builds skills in areas that lead to spiritual growth, encourage the sharing of faith, and equip people to serve their communities with confidence.

A growing movement

The program commenced in May 2025, with 25 students from 13 parishes enrolled in Module 1, Lay Leader’s Toolbox. Since then, 67 people from 26 parishes have studied at least one module — and two people have now completed all eight modules offered so far.

The graduation service itself was a fitting expression of what the certificate stands for: students and program staff led the service together. Students wrote and read the intercessions, delivered the readings, and one graduate, Christine Brown, addressed the congregation, sharing her story of personal development and enrichment. Archbishop Brad Billings presented each graduate with their certificate.

The graduates were: Abraham Aguop Garang, Amanda Hodgson, Angel Cruise, Annabel Crompton, Augustus Tan, Bohyan Ezra Haerewa, Brian Gerner, Carolyn Price, Christine Brown, Daniel Akech, David Lockett, David Stockbridge, Debbie (Despo) Brown, Deng Magot Anok, Helen Clarke, James Scott, Jan Tregenza, Jean King, Jeanie Clayton, Jennie McKinnie, Julie Ascher-Ellis, Lesley Kyloh, Louis Marini, Mary-ann Baker, Rebekah Pooley, Richard Everson, Sarah Notridge, Sharon Marini, Stephen Bourne, and Wendy Newman.

Student feedback reflects the depth of the experience of the program:

“This course has helped me engage more deeply with Scripture, especially in interpreting and applying it in pastoral and real-life contexts. I have also grown in confidence in areas such as pastoral care, prayer, and listening for God’s guidance.”

Education that equips the whole Church

The Archbishop’s Certificate responds to a need clearly expressed in the Diocesan Vision: equipping lay leaders so that parishes can reduce dependence on clergy. But the certificate is also grounded in a broader conviction — that every disciple has gifts to be developed, supported and encouraged, and that education is one important way of doing that.

The certificate is the culmination of years of dedicated work across the diocese. I want to acknowledge that foundational work with genuine appreciation and gratitude.

Thanks and appreciation also go to the certificate’s teaching staff, who have shared their gifts with generosity and love:

• Ms Becky Llewellyn
• Rev’d Dr Gethzi Devasagayam
• Rev’d Helen Phillips
• Rev’d Canon Jenny Wilson
• Rev’d Margaret Peel-Shakespeare
• Rev’d Dr Matthew Anstey
• Rev’d Sally Sandford-Morgan
• Right Rev’d Tim Harris

About the modules

The Archbishop’s Certificate offers eight modules, each consisting of four 90-minute sessions held over four weeks — or, for some modules, as a five-day intensive at St Barnabas College:

1. Lay Leader’s Toolbox
2. Handling the Bible
3. Understanding Pastoral Care: a tender care that transforms lives
4. Enriching Spirituality: finding God in our everyday lives
5. Praying with the Psalms
6. Listening for God
7. Being Anglican
8. (Further modules offered as the program develops)

Students may study one, a few, or all modules in any order, based on their interests and needs. Completing four modules earns the Archbishop’s Certificate. The certificate and all its modules are offered at no cost to participants, and everyone enrolled may join the St Barnabas College library as a community member, also at no cost.

All modules are held in parishes, face-to-face, with an emphasis on learning in companionship.

The certificate contributes to the educational needs of licensed lay ministers, readers and assistants, and anyone who wants to develop skills and confidence in ministry.

Enrolments now open for 2026–2027

A new cycle of the Archbishop’s Certificate is now underway, running from May 2026 to April 2027. Enrolments are open for the first modules, including:

• Handling the Bible
• Understanding Pastoral Care
• Enriching Spirituality

For more information, email [email protected].