Overview
A course to develop advanced skill and leadership in those involved in providing pastoral care and support in their parishes in the Diocese of Leeds. This training enables those who have successfully completed it to lead, train and deliver excellent pastoral care on behalf of their parish under the supervision of their incumbent. With the right experience and personal gifts, they may also supervise a pastoral care team in their parish on behalf of their incumbent.
People who have completed this course will have an in-depth understanding of the pastoral needs of people facing the various stages and challenges life brings.
Course Structure
All Lay Training Ministry Pathways courses are delivered in two stages:
Formational Journey Stage 1: Introduction to Theology
Delivered as either 4 in person study days or over 8 evenings online.
This can be undertaken as a stand-alone course or as Stage 1 in a journey leading to a commissioned role.
You do not need the approval of your Vicar & PCC to undertake Stage 1.
Formational Journey Stage 2: Commissioned Route (choose from Lay Worship Leader, Lay Pastoral Minister or Occasional Preacher)
Delivered over 10 evenings online with one or two in-person gatherings on a Saturday.
These courses form Stage 2 of a journey. You must have already completed Stage 1: Introduction to Theology.
You must have the approval of your Vicar and PCC before starting Stage 2
Commissioning as a Lay Pastoral Minister
Lay Pastoral Ministers will be commissioned locally, in their parish or benefice, during Pentecost Season.
Please note that, before commissioning, your Parish Safeguarding Officer should assist you to ascertain if you are eligible to apply for an Enhanced DBS for working with vulnerable adults in your parish. If the duties outlined in your working agreement make you eligible, you should apply before you are commissioned. DBS certificates obtained via your workplace or via the parish for work with children do not qualify you to provide pastoral care to vulnerable adults.
If you are interested in attending this course, please complete the Lay Ministry Pathways Application Form. We will then be in touch about the next steps.
You will need to provide an up-to-date completion certificate for the Basic Awareness safeguarding course before the course starts, and for the Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse and Foundations in Safeguarding courses by the end of the course. These courses can all be completed on the Church of England’s National Safeguarding Portal.
Upcoming Courses
In the 2026-27 academic year, we aim to run the Lay Pastoral Ministry course twice. Each iteration will begin and end with an in-person day (9:30am-4pm) on Saturday at Church House in Leeds (17-19 York Place, Leeds LS1 2EX). Mid-week sessions will be delivered online via Zoom (6:30pm-9pm).
Autumn 2026
Saturday 26 September - in-person
Wednesday 30 September - online
Wednesday 7 October - online
Wednesday 14 October - online
Wednesday 21 October - online
Wednesday 4 November - online
Wednesday 11 November - online
Wednesday 18 November - online
Wednesday 25 November - online
Saturday 28 November - in person