Someone today asked me the question, "How involved are the clergy in teaching Confirm not Conform? If clergy are involved, are non-clergy also involved in any capacity other than being mentors? Basically, who has what role in teaching Confirm not Conform?" Excellent questions!
Here's what I said:
As far as clergy involvement: it really depends upon the church. We encourage the rector to be involved in leading the class--not because the rector is particularly qualified, but because the message that sends to the church as a whole, and to parents and youth specifically, is that this is important. But the rector doesn't have to be involved and doesn't have to be the lead teacher. If the rector is not the best person to teach youth, go with someone who is.
We heartily recommend two teachers for any class. It's a safety issue, for one thing, and it's really helpful to have back-up for another. Personally, I would prefer it if the class were not taught only by clergy; I think that sends a really important message, too. You do not need clergy to teach this class.
One thing I didn't mention in this answer is that having the rector help teach the class means the youth develop a relationship with the rector that they might not have had before--and vice versa. This is not about the rector being more qualified to teach! People are changed when we encounter one another, and confirmation classes are an excellent opportunity for clergy and youth to encounter one another in ways they haven't done before. Just another thing to consider as you're starting to prepare for the fall.
Once again, there's no hard and fast rule about whether or not clergy should or should not lead Confirm not Conform. But these are some things to consider as you finalize your plans. Bottom line: what works best for you?