What are Licensed Lay Ministers (LLMs)?
Licensed Lay Ministers (LLMs) are lay people who come from all walks of life; they are licensed by their bishop to a teaching and preaching ministry, both within church and outside its traditional boundaries. Called by God and trained in theology, they bring their life experience, skills and knowledge to their Christian service. LLMs often have a role in equipping other Christians to grow as disciples in their places of daily living.
They work together with ordained and lay colleagues, usually serving within a ministry team.
In addition to preaching and leading worship LLMs may:
- Serve as chaplains in places like prisons, schools and hospitals
- Lead study groups in a variety of contexts, e.g. Bible study, Lent courses, confirmation and discipleship courses.
- Work with children and young people
- Exercise a caring ministry in their communities, including workplace.
- Conduct funerals
LLMs also find many informal ways of ministering by their presence, witness and listening at their places of work, at home, among neighbours and in their local communities.
Becoming a Licensed Lay Minister
- If you would like to explore becoming a Licensed Lay Minister, you can find out more on the Vocations section of the website here.
- Throughout the year, we hold Explorer's Evenings to help you to explore your vocation.
LLM Handbook
- LLM Handbook - currently being revised, available soon.
LLM Annual Review and Working Agreement
- LLM Annual Review - currently being revised, available soon.
- LLM Working Agreement
LLM Code of Conduct
- LLM Code of Conduct - currently being revised, available soon.
LLM Continuing Ministerial Development
- Bishop's Study Days - LLMs are invited to attend the Bishop's Study Days, which can be booked via our Training Portal
- IME2 Programme for LLMs after initial training
- A lot of the training available to Clergy is also available to LLMs, and can often be booked online via our Training Portal.
- Look out for further opportunties by signing up to the weekly Ministry Mailing.
Dates for your Diary
- Licensing Service - 30 September 2023
- Annual Gathering of LLMs - 11 May 2024
- Read about our 2023 Annual Gathering of LLMs
- Selection Day - March 2024
Transforming Ministry
More information on and for LLMs can be found on the Transforming Ministry website.
Contact the Lay Ministry Team
- Warden of LLMs (Warden of Readers) - Cathy Watts - catherine.watts@elydiocese.org
- Among other duties, the Warden of LLMs (Warden of Readers) supports the discernment and selection of LLMs, as well as supporting those LLMs in the Diocese.
- LLM Administrator - Sophie Smith - sophie.smith@elydiocese.org
- Vocations Administrator - Zoe Cutter - zoe.cutter@elydiocese.org
- Diocesan Director of Lay Ministry - Julie Norris - julie.norris@elydiocese.org
- Diocesan Lay Ministry Training Officer - Jonny Torrance - jonny.torrance@elydiocese.org
- Diocesan Deputy Director of Mission and Ministry - Peter Leech - peter.leech@elydiocese.org
- Chair of the LLM Oversight Committee - currently vacant.
The Diocese of Ely has four Area Sub Wardens:
- Cambridge North: (Deaneries of Cambridge North, North Stowe, Fordham & Quy) - Alison Wedgebury
- Cambridge South: (Deaneries of Cambridge South, Bourn, Shingay and Granta) - Lindi Kent
- Huntingdon: (Deaneries of Huntingdon, St Ives, St Neots and Yaxley) - Geoff Boucher
- Wisbech: (Deaneries Wisbech Lynn Marshland, Fincham & Feltwell, March and Ely) - Nigel Moat