Who are licensed lay ministers?

Licensed Lay Ministers are members of the ministry team of their parish or benefice, exercising a distinctive, theologically trained ministry which is grounded in the local community.

Licensed

exercising a ministry with the bishop’s authority (symbolised by the blue scarf)

Lay

grounded in the local community and in work experience
sharing with other ministers in preaching and leading worship in a pastoral context
playing a significant role in teaching and training lay people
modelling lay discipleship in church, work and in the community
taking initiatives at the edge of church life

Minister

theologically educated and with an ongoing calling from God
to live a life which models lay discipleship
to take pastoral responsibility
to exercise spiritual leadership with wisdom, discernment and vision
to continue to develop understanding and skills in ministry.

“Here is a trained, authorised ministry freely given in order that the message of the Gospel can be better understood, and people helped and encouraged by those who live and work alongside them….”.Graham Dow, Bishop of Carlisle