Most people in the church are ordinary people. A very small number are ordained clergy. We call those who are not clergy 'lay people'. In the Diocese of Leeds, we are committed to clergy and lay people working together. There is a large number of ways you can get involved in lay ministry. Find details below of some of the pathways available within the Diocese of Leeds and how we can help you to grow in confidence.
Eco Mission Enabler, Parish Environment Officer and Eco Discipleship
There are three levels of training for those seeking to engage in environmental mission and ministry, as part of the diocese's Saving Creation strategy. Training starts with an introductory level self-paced course, with the opportunity to progress to more in-depth work. Those who complete all three levels can be commissioned by the diocese as Eco Mission Enablers.
Bronze
This Bronze level course is for anyone wishing to understand:
- Some of the effects of the climate crisis on people in Britain and elsewhere in the world
- Why the Church is seeking to respond
- How individual Christians might respond as part of their discipleship
- What is involved in one of the Church of England’s environmental strategies: Eco-Church
- How to access resources to help with creation care
- What the job of a Parish Environment Officer is and how the Saving Creation Silver course could support that. Consider what God may be calling you to do next
You can self-enrol for this course on Moodle.
Silver
This Silver level course is for anyone wishing to:
- Gain an understanding of various aspects of the environmental crisis, including: climate change; biodiversity loss; implications for social justice; animal welfare issues; and issues of waste and water
- Gain an understanding of the nature of mission and how environmental mission fits within that
- Gain an understanding of the role of lifestyle choices in both discipleship and effecting change
- Gain an understanding of how to implement the Church of England Net Zero Target Strategy, and Eco-Church in a local parish context
- Consider how the resources provided nationally and by the Diocese can be used in a parish context
- Receive training in the skills required to be an effective Parish Environment Officer
This course takes place via online meetings and requires approximately 30 minutes preparatory/follow up work between sessions. Dates for this 8-week course will be displayed below once confirmed.
To register your interest for this course, please email anne.payne@leeds.anglican.org
Gold
The Gold level course is for anyone wishing to:
- Gain an intersectional understanding of the ecological crisis.
- Gain an in-depth understanding of the nature of mission and learn about eco-evangelism, pastoral care, and prophetic activism, and incorporating creation and social justice in worship.
- Consider how to equip and support others in discipleship and advocacy.
- Consider how to lead a project with an environmental focus at parish, deanery or diocesan level.
- Begin to create own resources.
- Receive training in the skills required to be an effective Eco Mission Enabler and practice these.
To find out more, please click here.
Lay Pastoral Worker
Pastoral workers are a valuable part of a church community, offering support and comfort to all members of the church and particularly those who are most vulnerable. Such an important ministry relies on strong listening skills, and the work of a pastoral team needs to be managed carefully by someone with a good understanding of issues that many people face.
The Diocese of Leeds provides a programme of Pastoral Ministry training across three levels. This envisages three categories of Lay Pastoral Worker: Pastoral Visitors, Pastoral Assistants and Pastoral Ministers. (Note: these role titles are for guidance and to ensure a consistent approach across the Diocese. However, locally, teams may choose to use different role titles.) Depending on previous training and experience, students may choose to enter training at different levels. Those with little training or experience would begin at the Pastoral Visitor level. Have a chat with your incumbent to help you figure out which is best for you.
Pastoral Visitor
For anyone wishing to join a pastoral care team (or who is simply interested in being a better listener) the 2-hour, self-paced Pastoral Conversations course will be helpful in starting to develop skills and understanding in this area. It will support those who wish to carry out occasional:
- Home visits
- Hospital visits
- Pastoral care of a congregation/group
You can self-enrol for this course on Moodle.
Pastoral Assistant Training
A 10-week course for those wishing to:
- go deeper into pastoral conversations
- understand grief and loss
- have the tools to handle sensitive topics
- understand human and spiritual development
- gain a basic understanding of dementia and mental health.
Taking on this role would entail:
- acknowledgement and affirmation in this role in their parish by being prayed for by their incumbent during a regular Sunday service
- creating a local working agreement in discussion with their incumbent and reviewing this together annually (recommended)
- possibly leading a local team within a parish but not supervising anyone
To register your interest in this course, please email Anne Payne on anne.payne@leeds.anglican.org.
Lay Pastoral Ministers
A ten month course (Y2) followed by a practical experience year with six mentoring/training sessions. For those who wish to:
- be able to supervise other LPWs
- be able to mentor other LPWs
The course will help participants to gain:
- an understanding of transference, dependence
- a significant understanding of how to approach a disclosure of safeguarding issues
- a significant understanding of all topics previously taught but in greater depth
- a significant understanding of the theological implications of human flourishing
The Lay Pastoral Minister role will entail:
- Local commissioning by their incumbent
- Local working agreement (annual renewal)
- Potentially leading a local parish team and being able to supervise other LPWs.
- Working in the parish in a pastoral leadership role supervised by their incumbent
In some cases, successful participants will be able to teach others both on the diocesan Pastoral Conversations and Pastoral Assistant Training courses and locally in their context.
To find out more, please click here.
Lay Worship Leader
Lay Worship Leaders are members of the congregation who are called to plan and lead worship. This does not exclusively mean leading music in services; people in this role might be involved in planning services, leading fresh expressions of church or being involved in intercession during services.
The ten-month Lay Worship Leaders course develops the skills and gifts of the participants as well as providing the resources and experience needed to equip them to lead worship in their own churches.
Lay Worship Leaders serve under the authority and supervision of their incumbent, with the agreement and permission of the PCC. After completing all training, LWLs discuss the nature and scope of their role with their incumbent, guidelines stipulate that a simple working agreement is then drawn up.
To find out more, please click here.
Licensed Lay Minister
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.
To find out more, please click here.
Occasional Preacher
Preaching is an influential part of the Church’s ministry, a privilege that should not be undertaken lightly. For this reason, the Canons of the Church require a lay person to have the permission of the bishop to preach, as well as the permission of their incumbent. Occasional Preachers are authorised to preach less frequently than Licensed Lay Ministers (Readers), within diocesan directions approved by the bishop.
The Occasional Preachers course supports participants, both beginners and those with more experience, to develop their skills and confidence in preaching faithfully, authentically and clearly.
To find out more, please click here.
Ordained Minister
God’s call to ordained ministry can come in many forms. While the inner sense of calling is important, the affirmation of that call by the wider church—the “outer” call—is essential. Ordination is a sacred moment when the church sets someone apart for a unique role in its life and mission. It’s a commitment that involves deep investment, both spiritually and practically.
Because of this, the discernment journey is intentionally thorough. It’s not a quick process—it often takes a year or more, and sometimes several years. But every step is designed to help you listen, reflect, and grow.
To find out more, please click here.
Parish Disability Representative
Whether you are disabled, have an impairment, or health condition, or are able-bodied but want to make sure that your church includes everyone, regardless of ability, have you thought about becoming a disability rep?
There are many things that you and your church could do to make your buildings and services more inclusive and to enable people of all abilities to serve and minister.
To find out more, please email the Diocesan Disability Officer: natasha.lee@leeds.anglican.org.
Spiritual Director
Being a spiritual director is a ministry with a focus on listening in order to help people attend to and respond to God. It is not directive nor for everyone. Discernment of a calling to this ministry is part of the process.
The Spiritual Direction Formation Programme gives each participant the opportunity to deepen their own spiritual journey and to discern whether there is a gift for and a call to spiritual direction ministry.
To find out more, please click here.