About ICS

The “Lay Institute” was founded in 1973 by a group of committed Episcopalians. The Church in Central Florida was experiencing renewal, people of the diocese were seeking sound teaching, and a revival of the ancient order of the vocational diaconate was taking place. Individuals seeking to become deacons needed to be prepared for that ministry. Today, the mission of ICS is the same: to provide adult Christian education and training for any interested person, training for aspirants to the diaconate, and continuing education for clergy.

The ICS consists of three schools: The School of Continuing Education; the School of Pastoral Care, and the School of Diaconal Training. The courses in the School of Continuing Education and Pastoral Care are open to any person interested in the subject being presented. Courses in the School of Diaconal Training are open to Postulants for ordination to the diaconate who have completed all of the required courses in the School of Continuing Education. Information about the School of Diaconal Training and continuing education for clergy will be found in a separate catalog.

ICS offers scriptural, religion, and special courses. Scriptural courses include biblical criticism, the Old and New Testaments. Religion courses include church history, liturgy, the Book of Common Prayer, personal spirituality, the life of prayer, evangelism, and ethics. Special courses prepare Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Lay Eucharistic Visitors, Lay Preachers and Lay Catechists for licensure, as well as Christian Education and courses designed to strengthen and enhance pastoral care ministry in the parish.

Courses are varied, interesting, challenging and inspiring. The course material is designed so courses are presented one course at a time; most courses can be completed on one Saturday. ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN THE SUBJECT BEING PRESENTED MAY ATTEND ANY COURSE IN THIS CATALOG. The one-day format makes it possible for the student to take for credit, or to audit, any course in any sequence.