What is Lay Ministry?
Those who are not ordained clergy (vicars) in a church are called lay people. There are a number of ways to get involved in ministry that is not through ordination, this is called lay ministry.
What are Licensed Lay Ministers?
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.
Licensed Lay Ministers can come from any walk of life. God calls people, through the Church, into particular ministries.
Licensed Lay Ministry Training Pathway (LLMTP)
The LLMTP is carried out in partnership with St Hild College. St Hild provides academic teaching through Common Awards (Durham University) online and in-person at Bingley in The Trinity Centre and at Mirfield, in The Mirfield Centre. The diocese provides formational activities to complement the academic studies together with overall discernment throughout training.
Exploring Licensed Lay Ministry
If you are interested in learning more about the role of a Licensed Lay Minister in the Church of England and exploring a vocation to this ministry, please contact the Vocations Team at vocations@leeds.anglican.org.
LLMTP = Licensed Lay Ministry Training Programme/Pathway
The Leeds diocesan LLMTP is provided in partnership with St Hild College. St Hild proivdes the academic programme - a Certificate in Higher Education (120 credits). The diocese provides pastoral care, additional training to promote formation for ministry, ongoing discernment and a placement.
Placements are usually at a church with a different tradition or demographic to the student's home church. Occasionally, they may be with a chaplaincy team. Trainees are expected to spend 40-50 hours taking part in placement activities spread over a minimum of six weeks. Placements take place in parallel with the Common Awards TMM 1301 Foundations for Ministry and Mission in Context module.
LLMTP Resources
Essentials for 2025-26: Handbook, Diary Dates, Working Agreement, TI Checklist
LLMTP Handbook 2025-26 v1.2 (dated 13/08/2025)
v1.1: two edits to Hub Allocations on page 11
v1.2 Green button: link to contents edited
LLMTP Combined Diocesan & St Hild Programme for 2025-26
LLM Training Incumbent Checklist
Training Incumbent Gatherings for 2025-26 (7-9pm on zoom): Tuesday 07 October, Wed 04 February and Thursday 21 May. Zoom links will be sent out in the week before each gathering.
Policies, Procedures and Associated Templates
Note: some policies are in the LLMTP Handboook e.g. worship
LLMTP Safeguarding Policy 2025-26
LLMTP Severe Weather Policy 2025-26 (reviewed annually in September / October)
LLMTP Student Feedback Policy 2025-26
LLMTP Student Feedback Form (to be completed by student reps in preparation for Student Forums twice a year)
LLMTP Student Concerns Policy 2024-25 (includes a flowchart)
LLMTP Learning Support Policy - under review
Assessment Templates
End of Year Report Templates. Deadline for submission : 31 May 2026
Yr 1 End of Year Self Assessment
Yr 1 End of Year Training Incumbent Report
Yr 2 End of Year Self Assessment
Yr 2 End of Year Training Incumbent Report
Placement Resources for 2026
Placement Briefing for LLM Trainees: Thursday 02 October 2025 7-9pm on zoom (Zoom link will be sent out 7-10 days before the briefing)
Placement Host Briefing: Thursday 16 October 2025 7-9pm on zoom (Zoom link will be sent out 7-10 days before the briefing)
Placement Handbook (practical information for students and placement hosts)
Placement Agreement Template Deadline: Monday 17 November 2025
- 2024-25 version. However, this has been agreed unchanged for 2025-26, but will be re-formatted at some point.
YTEP Research Ethics & Guidance Policy (including forms) 2025-26
Placement Host - Report Template Deadline: Thursday 30 April 2026
Link to online Placement Survey Survey available 1/4/26 - 17/5/26 (Complete this short survey after your post-placement meeting with your Placement Host.)
Formation Day 2-Year Rolling Programme
SPIRITUALITY FORMATION DAYS (Annual - for which ever hub is NOT on placement)
AB1 Quiet Day with focus on Ignation spirituality
AB2 Visit to a pentecostal church. Visit preceded by an evening zoom session on pentecostal spirituality.
YEAR A (24-25, 26-27 etc.)
What is Mission?
Quiet Day: Slow Down!
Collaborative Leadership
YEAR B (25-26, 27-28 etc)
B1
B2
B3