Serving at Christ Church Cathedral
Purpose:
All that we do as the body of Christ is part of building others up in love and bringing glory to Christ. Every role—whether seen or unseen—helps our congregation engage with God and grow as disciples.
Important Notes for All Roles:
Safe Ministry Clearance: Please keep your Safe Ministry clearance up to date before serving.
Microphone Technique (for those up front):
Handheld microphones: These are dynamic mics—hold them about two finger-widths from your mouth for clear sound.
Headset microphones: These are fragile—please handle with care and use proper cable rolling technique when putting them back in the case. (An in-person induction will be provided.)
General Induction for Volunteers
For instructions about emergency procedures, incident reporting, first aid locations, lights, fans, rechargeable batteries, and lock-up procedure, please consult the official Property Induction Guide:
👉 https://christchurchcathedral.com.au/property-induction
Role Descriptions (ordered alphabetically)
Bible Reader (all services)
Purpose:
The public reading of Scripture is a vital part of Christian worship, as we listen to the authoritative Word of God and allow it to shape our hearts and minds. Bible Readers serve the congregation by reading God’s Word clearly and reverently, helping us engage with Him as He speaks through Scripture.
Key Responsibilities:
Prepare the Reading:
Check the service sheet in advance and confirm which passage you are assigned.
Practice reading aloud to ensure clarity, correct pronunciation, and appropriate pace.
Know the Service Flow:
Prepare any prayer, introduction or words after the reading which are in the service sheet.
Review the service order so you know when your reading occurs.
Liaise with the service leader if needed for any special instructions.
During the Service:
Be ready to move to the front at the right time in an orderly way that supports the natural flow of the service.
Read the passage clearly and with reverence, remembering you are handling God’s Word.
Qualities Needed:
Ability to read confidently and clearly in public.
A heart that values Scripture and desires to serve others through its reading.
Reliability and willingness to prepare in advance.
Communion Helper (Chalice Assistant - 8am service)
Purpose:
Serving as a Communion Helper is a significant ministry because sharing the Lord’s Supper is central to Christian worship. In this meal, we remember Christ’s death and resurrection and proclaim His saving work until He comes again. By assisting in administering the elements, you help God’s people participate in this profound act of grace.
Requirements:
Sign a declaration of lawful obedience to the Bishop and Diocesan ordinances, and affirm the formularies of the Anglican Church.
This role involves delegation by the ordained Communion presider.
Key Responsibilities:
Before Administration:
Come to the front after the Great Thanksgiving.
Wash your hands with hand sanitiser.
Receive Communion yourself before assisting others.
During Administration:
Stand at the front with either the bread or the wine/grape juice.
Say the words of administration as people come forward:
For the bread:
The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for you, preserve your body and soul to everlasting life.
Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your heart by faith with thanksgiving.
For the cup:
The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you, preserve your body and soul to everlasting life.
Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful.
Additional Duties:
Take Communion to any immobile people in the congregation and, when appropriate, to the organist.
Reverently place any remaining consecrated elements on the table, covered with a fair linen cloth.
If any consecrated bread and wine remain, they must not be carried out of the church but consumed reverently after the Blessing.
Qualities Needed:
Deep reverence for the Lord’s Supper and its meaning.
Ability to serve calmly and respectfully.
Willingness to uphold Anglican doctrine and practice.
Music Leader (9.30am and 5.30pm)
Purpose:
When we gather for worship, we engage with the living God on His terms through Christ, and music leaders help facilitate this by leading songs that draw the congregation into that God-centered engagement.
Key Responsibilities:
Prepare for the Service:
Check Elvanto for scheduled songs for your week.
Work with your team to select keys that are singable for the congregation (aim for top note no higher than D).
Organise and lead a rehearsal to ensure readiness.
Coordinate Team Roles:
Decide who will introduce each song.
Prepare brief (1-2 sentences) introductions that connect the song’s theme to the service.
Liaise with Service Leader/Preacher:
Communicate during the week about the flow of the service and its themes to ensure music supports the overall direction.
Service Leadership:
Participate in pre-service prayer.
Engage the congregation during worship to encourage heartfelt singing.
Administration:
Maintain and organise sheet music.
Qualities Needed:
Strong musical ability and leadership skills.
Ability to work collaboratively with team members and service leaders.
Heart for worship and guiding others to glorify God through music.
Prayer Leader (all services)
Purpose:
Leading God’s people in prayer is a vital ministry because together we speak to our great God who hears and answers our prayers. We pray to our heavenly Father, through the Son, by the Holy Spirit, acknowledging His character and purposes as the foundation for our requests.
Key Responsibilities:
Prepare the Prayers:
Use first-person plural language (we) rather than singular (I), because we pray together as God’s people.
Structure prayers into 3–4 sections (e.g., thanksgiving, church, world, mission).
Introduce each section briefly to help the congregation know what we are praying for (e.g., Father, we pray for…).
Acknowledge aspects of God’s character and purposes as the basis for requests (e.g., Father, you are a God of justice; we ask that you would show mercy to…).
Include weekly prayer points (below) as well as prayers for local, national, and international needs.
During the Service:
Lead clearly and reverently, guiding the congregation through each section.
At the 8am service, include responses between sections (see Anglican Prayer Book, page 183).
Prayer Resources:
Pray through the weekly prayer points, highlighting the Mission of the Month (found on the church website under https://christchurchcathedral.com.au/news All Events > Weekly Prayers).
The Anglican Prayer Book (green books on the back shelf):
These provide well-considered prayers passed down by the saints of the past.
The Prayers of the People section offers prayers and categories that can be prayed as-is, adapted, or borrowed from.
Key pages: 172–173, 184–222
Qualities Needed:
A heart for prayer and dependence on God.
Ability to prepare thoughtfully and lead clearly.
Sensitivity to the congregation and the flow of the service.
Service Leader (9.30am and 5.30pm)
Purpose:
Service leaders have the important role of shaping the service to have a purposeful flow that draws people into worship and keeps the focus on God’s Word and His glory. We need to guide the congregation through the sections of the service in an engaging and clear way, helping us begin and end with God rather than trivial matters.
Key Responsibilities:
Prepare the Service:
Read the Bible passage in advance and liaise with the preacher and music leader to identify themes to highlight.
Prepare the service order in Elvanto, choosing optional components and arranging elements thoughtfully.
Ensure the service order is completed by Monday before the service so sheets can be compiled and printed.
Plan for Flow and Structure:
Design a service that takes the congregation on a journey through worship: (for example)
Call to Worship → Confession → Assurance → Adoration → Scripture Reading & Preaching → Prayer → Offertory.
Communicate Well:
Check upcoming news and prayer points on the church website to call people to action meaningfully.
Share housekeeping notices clearly and briefly (QR code, bathrooms, water, family room, morning tea/supper/dinner).
During the Service:
Lead confidently and reverently, ensuring transitions are smooth and Christ-centered.
Begin and end the service with God-focused words, not housekeeping or trivialities.
Qualities Needed:
Strong communication and leadership skills.
Ability to plan and organise effectively.
A heart for worship and guiding others to engage with God.
Welcomer (all services)
Purpose:
Welcoming people is a vital ministry because, as we help people connect with our church, we participate in God’s big plan to bring salvation through the Lord Jesus—bringing people from darkness to light. This could be someone’s first time at church, their first time back after a long absence, or a moment that shapes their connection with Christ’s church. The first impression we give can be crucial.
Key Responsibilities:
Before the Service:
Smile and greet people warmly.
Ask people’s names and offer name tags to new visitors.
As you hand out service sheets, explain that everything they need is on the sheet—highlight key features like the QR code and contact details.
After the Service:
Remember: the first two minutes after the service are crucial for connection. People wonder: Will someone speak to me? Do I belong here?
Scan the room for anyone standing alone or not being spoken to.
Take the initiative to invite people to morning tea or supper and help them connect with others.
Qualities Needed:
Warm, friendly, and approachable.
Attentive to those who might feel left out.
A heart for helping people feel at home and connected to Christ’s church.