Explore your calling
If you are looking at this page, it may be that you have felt, for some time, as though God has been nudging you, or tugging at your sleeve, or even, as someone said “nagging”. You might not be sure what it is that you are being prompted to do.
Every diocese has people who are there to listen to your story and advise you about what you are feeling and where it might be taking you at this stage of your life. You can get in touch with them via the diocesan web pages, or by contacting the Warden of Readers (LLMs) or Lay Ministry in your diocese. You will find links to them here.
The Church of England also has a National Vocations site:
https://www.churchofengland.org/life-events/vocations/exploring-lay-ministry
For more information about Reader (LLM) ministry read the information below.
What is Reader (LLM)?
A Reader (LLM) is a lay person who, following a call from God, is trained and licensed by the Anglican Church to teach the faith, enable mission and lead in church and society.
Readers (LLMs) are uniquely equipped to enable Christians to live out their Christian faith in the places where they spend the majority of their time. As people who daily move between the worlds of work, home, social networks and church, Readers (LLMs) can teach the faith and play a part in leadership such that all God’s people grow in confident and humble witness to God’s kingdom. This ministry involves working together with an incumbent. It can also include pastoral care, funeral ministry, and involvement in many other aspects of leadership in church and society.
Could you be a Reader (LLM)?
Do you feel called to the idea of telling others about your faith, and helping to share your excitement in it and the way it fills your life. At the same time do you want to do this in the place where you are: your work, your church, your community. God may be calling you to be a Reader (LLM)? Discover the 4-step process below:
4-steps to become a Reader (LLM)
The process is unique to each diocese, but it always starts with a personal sense of God’s calling to become a Reader (LLM). Training usually takes 2-3 years, depending on your diocese, and will follow the four steps detailed below.
Contact a Diocese
Once you have explored your calling, you should contact your local diocese, usually the Warden of Readers (see the “getting in touch” page for contact details for dioceses or press the green button below). There will usually be a further time of exploration and verification of your calling to Reader (LLM) ministry through meetings, completion of an application, and an interview process.
Start your Training
If at the end of this you are affirmed in your calling, then training will begin at the next available date – normally in the autumn. Training is part-time, and your Warden of Readers will be able to give you more information about training in your diocese.
Become Licensed
At the end of this time, if you meet all the diocesan requirements for becoming a Reader (LLM), you are formally licensed by your Bishop and begin your journey in this exciting and dynamic ministry.
Continue Lifelong Learning
Your learning will continue after your licensing, in your diocese and beyond. The CRC will provide regular training opportunities in order to develop and nurture your ministry.