Lay Ministry

Through ministry, the Church responds to God’s invitation to join in his mission to the world. Through Christian baptism we are all called to play our part in the Church’s ministry, by taking our discipleship seriously and constantly seeking to deepen it through worship, learning and service. Some are called to express ministry in a particular way, as authorised ministers: either lay or ordained.

Licensed Lay Ministers (LLMs)

Lay Ministers are licensed to work alongside ordained colleagues in the parish(es) where they serve. In some cases their ministry is rooted in the community or in the workplace rather than in the life of the local church.

In the Diocese of Salisbury, we call Lay Readers 'Licensed Lay Ministers'. Readers are a nationally trained and authorised ministry in the Church of England. They are called and equipped to be ‘lay theologians’ and the focus of their ministry is proclaiming the gospel through preaching, teaching and enabling others to grow in discipleship. They may lead and participate in worship, conduct funerals and offer pastoral care.

Some Lay Ministers have a ministry with a different focus to that of the traditional ‘Reader’. Instead of a focus on preaching, teaching and enabling learning they proclaim the gospel primarily through exercising a ministry of pastoral care.

Lay Ministers are often seen as having a ‘bridging’ ministry between the church and the world – they may be able to minister in contexts where clergy are not so readily accepted. Lay Ministers are constantly discovering new and flexible ways in which to serve.

Warden of LLMs: The Bishop of Sherborne
sherborne.office@salisbury.anglican.org

Vice Warden of LLMs: Canon Chrysogon Bamber
chrysogon@jbamber.freeserve.co.uk

Discernment Secretary: Allen Knott
sarumrdr@gotadsl.co.uk

LLM Training Officer: Philip Jones
philip.jones@salisbury.anglican.org

Click here for the Central Readers' Council website

Lay Pastoral Assistants (LPAs)

Lay Pastoral Assistants are commissioned to assist with the pastoral ministry of the parish(es) where they live. They are chosen by their incumbent and PCC and minister under the direction of the incumbent. They may work with children and young people, the sick, the recently bereaved and the elderly and housebound. They may take communion to those unable to come to church. Many benefices have teams of LPAs some of whom may specialise in a particular area.

Ramsbury Area LPA Officer: Mrs Pip Symonds
pip@symonds.fsworld.co.uk

Sherborne Area LPA Officer: Mrs Beth Buchan
beth.buchan@care4free.net

Lay Worship Leaders (LWLs)

Lay Worship Leaders are commissioned to assist with planning and leading worship in the parish(es) where they live. Like LPAs they are chosen by their incumbent and PCC and minister under the direction of the incumbent. They may be part of a worship committee or worship planning group, prepare acts of worship, lead morning and evening prayer, all age worship and other non sacramental acts of worship, although they are do not exercise a preaching ministry.

Arrangements for the selection, training and support of Lay Worship Leaders are currently being put in place – more details soon. Please contact the Learning for Discipleship and Ministry Team for further information.

Click here for Continuing Ministerial Development (CMD)