Posted on: 16th January 2024

Licensed Lay Ministers (formerly known as Readers) hold a national licence which is transferable between Dioceses. This lay leadership role is focussed on a threefold ministry: Teachers of the Faith; Enablers of Mission; Leaders in Church and Society. Licensed Lay Ministers work collaboratively with their clergy in leading their parish church, often taking responsibility for lay discipleship courses, catechism or outreach, for example, under the supervision and authority of their incumbent and PCC.

Licensed Lay Ministers can come from any walk of life. God calls people, through the Church, into particular ministries. The discernment process involves the local Church (incumbent and PCC), a selection committee, and those involved in offering training. Trainee Licensed Lay Ministers spend time in theological training and in a programme of formational activities such as parish placements and formational mentor groups. There is also assessed preaching and worship leading every term. On successful completion of their training they are commissioned by the Warden of Readers at the end of course Eucharist.  They then spend a  formational year in their parish, preaching, teaching, leading worship and assisting in other areas of the mission and ministry of church life as agreed with their incumbent along with further training (termly). Licensing takes place a year later by an Area Bishop.

Eligibility criteria, discernment information and an initial enquiry form have been sent to all incumbents, chaplaincy team leaders, PCC Secretaries and Churchwardens in September 2023. A reminder will be sent in early January 2024. The deadline for initial enquiry forms is 1 March 2024. Once an initial enquiry form has been received an application pack will be sent out.

More details and the Application Timeline can be found here.

If you require any specific help or information, please do contact the School of Ministry administrator at shuna.hartley@leeds.anglican.org.