Occasional Worship Leaders (OWLs) Course

17 and 24 June, 8 and 15 July 2026

The OWLs course is for those who find themselves leading worship on an occasional basis, (no more than once a month) and do not feel called to licensed or ordained ministry.

Some examples of those who might benefit from this training include those planning and leading worship in specific regular services (for example, monthly café church, all-age worship, Taize, Iona, etc), those who occasionally lead Morning or Evening Prayer on Sundays, or Churchwardens and others leading services during a vacancy.

OWLs are discerned and authorised locally in the parish, but the diocesan Ministry Team provides a structure and set of resources to help parishes in the discernment, equipping and support of OWLs, including areas such as appropriate safeguarding certification and training, accountability, support and review.

To be authorised as an OWL, attendees should attend a minimum of three of the four sessions on this course. You also need to have the backing of your incumbent or equivalent to come on the course.

The course covers general principles and skills in planning and leading worship and is designed to work for people leading a wide variety of worship services, including more and less formal worship.

Contact:

[email protected]

01928 643428

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Host or Publisher Diocese of Chester