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 in the 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
LLM Handbook
- LLM Handbook - currently being revised, available soon.
Dates for your Diary
- Licensing Service - Saturday 5 October 2024
- Here are some photographs from our 2023 LLM licensing service
- Annual Gathering of LLMs - Saturday 11 May 2024
- Read about our 2023 Annual Gathering of LLMs
- Selection Day - March 2025
LLM Continuing Ministerial Development
- LLMs are invited to attend the Bishop's Study Days.
- Some of the training available to Clergy is also available to LLMs.
- Training can be booked via our Training Portal.
- IME2 Programme for LLMs after initial training
- Look out for further opportunities by signing up to the weekly Ministry Mailing.
LLM Annual Review and Working Agreement
LLM Code of Good Ministerial Practice
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 - Alison Baker - alison.baker@elydiocese.org
- Diocesan Director of Lay Ministry - Julie Norris - julie.norris@elydiocese.org
- Lay Ministry Training Officer - Currently vacant -
- Director of Mission and Ministry - Peter Leech - peter.leech@elydiocese.org
- Chair of the LLM Readers Board - Lindi Kent
The Diocese of Ely has four Area Sub Wardens:
- Cambridge North: (Deaneries of Cambridge North, North Stowe, Fordham & Quy) - Alison Wedgbury
- Cambridge South: (Deaneries of Cambridge South, Bourn, Shingay and Granta) - Lindi Kent
- Huntingdon: (Deaneries of Huntingdon, St Ives, St Neots and Yaxley) - Rosie Tallowin
- Wisbech: (Deaneries Wisbech Lynn Marshland, Fincham & Feltwell, March and Ely) - Nigel Moat
Resolving a complaint
- Resolving a complaint involving an LLM - Summary and procedure
Transforming Ministry
More information on and for LLMs can be found on the Transforming Ministry website.