If someone feels like God is calling them to something, however distant it may feel, the first port of call is to speak to their vicar (if you don’t have a vicar, you could speak to a supportive ordained or lay minister, for example the Area Dean or somebody who is helping lead services in your benefice). They will be able to have some initial conversations and help them work out the next steps. This may be to contact the Director of Ordinands and Vocations or it could be to try a module on the Certificate in Theology of Mission, and Ministry course (CTMM) which is run by the Director of Studies (DoS). If they are interested in Licensed Lay Ministry, there will be an option to explore this on their initial application to the course. However, this isn’t their only opportunity, as they are very welcome to contact the DoS at any point during their studies and express this interest.
The Diocese of Derby runs a flexible course which is delivered primarily online, with 3 in-person shared learning mornings per year. There is a helpful infographic in Appendix 3. The course runs annually, though modules can be applied for mid-year if applicable.
When someone begins studying on the CTMM course, they will receive their pathway document which will show them the journey they are currently on. If they have expressed an interest in becoming a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) this will include a Vocations Advisor (VA). This is someone who will journey with them, helping them work out in some more detail what God might be calling them to.
The training for Licensed Lay (Reader) ministry also has a discernment pathway, and so meetings with the VA are essential and counted as part of the course. Students will meet at least 3 times with a VA in the appropriate year of study, typically the second. The vocations process will culminate with an in-person interview with a discernment panel usually at the start of Term 3 (Autumn Term) of the year indicated on the pathway document. The panel then make a recommendation. This may be to continue into the final year of training, possibly with some areas to work on, or to complete the CTMM in a different kind of locally recognised ministry.
Neither is a success or a failure - it is just about helping you to fulfil God’s calling on your life at this time.
The qualities required for Licensed Lay (Reader) ministry can be found in Appendix 4. These are what the VA and the discernment panel, alongside the incumbent and course team will be exploring with the student. The final decision as to whether or not a candidate will be licensed rests solely with the Bishop of Derby.
A call to be an LLM(R) is distinctive and generally characterised by those three strands: Teaching the Faith, Enabling Mission in the Everyday, and Leading in Church and Society. This public and representative leadership, theologically literate teaching, and enabling of others does not have just one expression. Some LLM(R)s will have specialisms, or ‘shapes’ such as pioneering, chaplaincy, youth, children and families, all-age worship, or preaching to name a few. This breadth of ministry helps to encourage a genuine mixed ecology of church, and LLM(R)s are encouraged to share their specialist knowledge and practice with other churches if the opportunity arises.
