Chris Boulton has been licensed as a Lay Minister in aservice held at Malvern Priory last weekend. Chris has trained for the pastyear to take on this new role and has also recently completed a Masters Degreein Applied Theology.
Chris, who has had careers in the armed forces and inbusiness, has worshipped at Malvern Priory since 2011, when he and his wifeCaroline returned to the UK after living in Japan and Singapore.He was brought up in a Christian family andwas a choir boy for many years, but his journey of faith took many more todevelop.
Chris said: I grew up in an Anglican church and when I wasworking in Asia we attended a number of different churches anddenominations.Coming back to worship atMalvern Priory felt like Id come full circle and I experienced the richness ofthe Anglican liturgy in a new light!
After being made redundant in Singapore, Chris took on anumber of part-time roles which enabled him to get more involved in the church.While in Asia, we were involved in working with people converting toChristianity, which made me want to better understand my faith, so I attended theological college.Many years later when Regents Theological Collegeannounced they were starting a part-time Masters course and I jumped at theopportunity to continue my studies.
Due to his theological training, Chris has been able to completea slightly shorter course than the usual two-year course taken by Lay Ministers(also known as Readers). The training to become a Reader has been excellent,he continued. I really enjoyed being with other Readers-in-training and Ordinandsat Queens Theological College where we worship, eat, and learn together once aweek. A three-month placement recently withthe West Worcester group of churches in St Johns and Dines Green has also beena key element of my training.
Chris felt a strengthening of the call to Lay Ministryduring the year when Malvern Priory was between vicars.It was a time when the Priory congregationreally pulled together, and he felt that obtaining a Readers license wouldenable him to better assist the interim leadership team.
In 2014 I was involved in setting up a Caf Church at CostaCoffee in Malvern and began to participate in the diocesan Fresh Expressions network. This contemporary service has now movedinto the Priory as The Gathering and takes the place at 6.30pm on thefirst Sunday each month. Around 40-50 people regularly come along to worship, todiscuss different and challenging issues, and to share their faith.
My involvement in this service will continue, but being aLicensed Lay Minister means I can be part of the preaching and worship team, andhelp out wherever required. What really interests me is the path of Christian discipleship- my own journey has not been straightforward and it helps me to understand thateveryones journey is also unique, challenging, and ongoing.
Chris runs one of the home groups at the Priory and is alsoinvolved in the Priorys Messy Church. Chris and Caroline have two married sonsand two grandchildren.The eldest sonstill lives in Singapore and is married to a Muslim.
