London readers

LICENSED LAY MINISTRY (LLM)

INTRODUCTION
2010 sees the launch of a brand new development for training and licensing of Lay Ministers in the Diocese of London. This exciting venture builds on the history and experience of generations of lay ministry and leadership in the diocese and in the Church of England generally, including Reader ministry and numerous other expressions of involvement in mission and ministry in the Church of Jesus Christ.

A NEW NAME
Those licensed by the bishop in this new ministry will be titled ‘Licensed Lay Ministers’, and they will receive national recognition throughout the Church of England, joining Readers and Licensed Lay Ministers in parishes up and down the country.

CRITERIA FOR MINISTRY
Licensed Lay Ministers will fulfil three core criteria in their ministry. When selected they will show potential as:

• articulate lay theologians
• adult educators and trainers (with a strong commitment to the ministry of preaching and teaching)
• leaders in ministry and mission, sharing the role with incumbents and other lay leaders in the parish

Those called to the role of Licensed Lay Minister will:

• undergo a process of vocational discernment
• normally undertake three years of academic and formational education and training
• normally achieve university diploma level

TRAINING
The normal route for training will be as students of St Mellitus College, studying at one of the College’s centres across London and locally in groups in their area.

The three year training programme will contain a balance of theological foundation modules alongside more practical ministry focused modules.

The SMC Access Course will be available to students in need of assistance to prepare for studying on the LLM programme.

VOCATIONAL SPECIALISATION
It is likely that Licensed Lay Ministers will have a focus for specialisation in one the following areas:

• Preaching and Leading Worship
• Adult Education (including Discipleship & Small Group work)
• Pastoral Ministry (including occasional offices )

TRAINING COSTS
Training a LLM represents an investment of some £2,000 over three years. The diocese is committed to ensuring that no selected candidate will be prevented from training on the grounds of cost. However a candidate and sponsoring parish will be welcome to contribute to this funding (up to two-thirds of the cost), enabling the widest number to benefit from the training available

OTHER LAY MINISTRY AND EDUCATION

INTRODUCTION
Licensed Lay Ministry will not, of course, be the only training and education for lay people in London Diocese. There will be a number of other options available both for those wishing to develop in ministry and those wanting to further their education in discipleship of Jesus Christ. Amongst these the following are available:

COMMISSIONED MINISTRY
Licensed Lay Ministry will stand alongside other forms of recognised lay ministries, exemplified in the concept of Commissioned Lay Ministry. Commissioned Ministers will normally have a single-focused ministry and be commissioned by the bishop solely to work in a particular parish or ministry setting. They will not be expected to fulfil the same criteria for ministry as LLMs. They will, however, have benefitted from a local training programme and/or be undergoing an apprenticeship in their parish or ministry setting.

EDUCATION FOR DISCIPLESHIP
The diocese will continue to develop options for Education for Discipleship for those who wish to pursue Christian education and perhaps consider Christian vocational development. The Course in Christian Studies (a two year certificate-level course) is becoming available at a wide variety of venues across the diocese. St Mellitus College also offer a School of Theology and other courses for lay education at their St Paul’s Onslow Square site (www.stmellituscollege.org.uk/courses/lay-training).

Individual parishes will, of course, continue to offer education, training and development courses and occasions to suit the needs of their church and congregation.

FURTHER INFORMATION
Speak to your Area Director of Training and Development, or contact:

The Revd Neil Evans, Director of Professional Development
neil.evans@london.anglican.org