What are Authorised Lay Ministers (ALMs)?
Authorised Lay Ministers (ALMs) are trained lay people, active in church life, who have a particular vocation, special interest, or skill that can be an integral part of their church’s ministry. They are highly valued in the Diocese of Ely and have a crucial part in the success of the Diocesan Strategy.
ALMs are nominated by their incumbent and Parochial Church Council (PCC) to be trained and equipped in preparation for being ‘commissioned’ by the Bishop. After this service, they will carry out an agreed ministry role within their local parish context. In the Diocese of Ely, there are people of all ages and churchmanship who have trained to become ALMs in their own churches. Most are now in active ministry, playing their part in the day-to-day life of their parish.
Support for our ALMs
Your Incumbent will be able to support you in your ALM pathway. The Lay Ministry Team will also be able to advise you on anything particular you might need.
Our ALM - Parish Handbook explains the ALM pathway processes in more detail. This handbook is designed to provide ALM candidates, Incumbents (and Rural Deans), and Parish Safeguarding Officers with all the information required in the discernment, training and support of Authorised Lay Ministry within the parish.
Review and agreement
Template documents proformas for incumbents to use with their ALMs. These can be adapted and used as required, and should be held locally.
If, for whatever reason, an ALM steps back from ministry before their reauthorisation is due, it would be helpful if you could email Sophie (Lay Ministry Team Administrator) on sophie.smith@elydiocese.org, so that we can update our records.
Training and Development
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All ALMs need to undertake the following training every three years:
- Leadership
- Raising awareness of domestic abuse
They will also need an updated DBS check.
Becoming an ALM
After talking to your incumbent and PCC about your interest in training as an ALM;
- Contact the Mission and Ministry Team on missionandministry@elydiocese.org
- You will undertake specialist training requirements according to your chosen specialism pathway
- You will also undertake project work that is relevant to both your specialism and parish.
- More about the Safeguarding Training requirements for ALMs.