Lay Ministry Course

Pastoral and Formational Care Group Sessions

Small Group sessions are held during the last week of each month and are a compulsory part of the course. Exact dates and times will be determined by each group according to need.

Preparing for each teaching session.

There will be a small amount of preparation for each teaching session which may include reading or listening to an extract from a book or watching a video. You will get more from each session if you prepare well.

Going deeper

For those students wishing to go deeper into the theological concepts discussed, further study options will be provide for each teaching block.

Study days

Study days provide an opportunity to develop strong, supportive working relationships with those you are studying with, some of whom you will be learning alongside for three years. Past students speak warmly about the impact that learning with others has had on their ministry.  Study days also provide the time for more detailed study of individual subjects 
 

Learning outcomes:

• Has a (developing) thorough knowledge of God’s story in Scripture and tradition
• Desires to make God known by word and deed
• Sees Christ in others and shows a Christ-like attitude: understanding, respectful, listening, servant-hearted
• Values diversity in principle and action and is prepared to challenge prejudice
• Seeks to model the self-giving love and compassion of Christ as a member of his body
• Listens well; is approachable and welcoming
• Have a generous capacity to serve others in the wider community as well as in the church
• Encourage others in their service of and prayer for the wider community
• Can form, develop and maintain safe and healthy pastoral relationships that enable others in ministry
• Can respond appropriately to pastoral situations

Contents:

Pre-course task 1: Read or listen to Mark’s Gospel
1.    Introduction to the Bible (6hrs)

• An overview of the Bible
• An introduction to the gospels
• Luke’s Gospel
• Interpreting difficult texts

Pre-course task 2:
2.    An Introduction to pastoral ministry (8hrs)

• Pastoral theology and models of pastoral care
• The inner journey of change, transition and loss
• The inner landscape of experience and reflection
• Theological Reflective Practice

Assessment task: You will be invited to hold a 20-minute discussion with Tutor.

Assessment method: Curated discussion
•    What have you learnt across the term?
•    What has been your greatest point of learning?
•    What has been your greatest challenge?
•    What God may be saying to you about your future ministry.

Learning outcomes:

• Understands issues relating to the interpretation of both Old and New Testament texts in diverse contemporary contexts
• Is learning about how Christian beliefs and practices shape the moral life of individuals and communities
• Can connect gathered worship and Christian tradition and ethics with everyday faith and experience, equipping people to face challenges in the world
• Is aware of the opportunities and challenges that the church faces in engaging with contemporary society in mission and evangelism; is able to be imaginative and creative in response
• Can make theological sense of social, political and church contexts

Understand and evaluate varying approaches to Christian faith, while articulating a personal position

• Models everyday faith related to the world of home, work and society
• Respects others, without discrimination, showing empathy and honesty in their relationships, learning from them

Contents:

Pre-course task 1: Read the Book of Ruth
1.    Reading the old and new testaments (4hrs)

• An overview of the Old Testament (2hrs)
• An overview of the New Testament (2hrs)

2.    Ethics (6hrs)

• An introduction to Ethics
• An introduction to Applied Ethics

Assessment task: 10 minute Presentation. You may use Canva or PowerPoint if you wish.

Assessment method: Presentation

Describe some different views of the basis on which Christians should decide right and wrong. Say what basis you think Christians should adopt and explain why you come to that conclusion. 

What is being looked for in this piece of work is an appreciation of a variety of Christian approaches to deciding what is right and wrong and the ability to give the reasons for your own approach.

What would make this a particularly good piece of work would be if you give a clear analysis of a variety of approaches and argue cogently for your own view, drawing on theoretical and Biblical material.

Learning outcomes:

• Is learning about how doctrine and spirituality shape the life of faith and the practices of the Church of England
• Understands Christian beliefs and practices including their diverse historical and cultural developments
• Shows a wide and inclusive understanding and expression of mission based on the Five Marks of Mission, and of how they might be lived out in a given context
• Can engage and enable others in mission
• Can interact and communicate well with a diverse range of people both inside and outside the church
• Models Christian life and shares God’s story in a way that helps others to follow Jesus’ call in everyday faith
• Seeks to discern and pray about the needs of their local community and the wider world with a willingness to respond as an ambassador of Christ
• Can maintain a faith that is outward facing
• Can share their faith in a way that enables others to relate it to the whole of their lives

Contents:

Pre-course task: TBC
1.    Doctrine (1) What we believe (6hrs)

• Creation, fall, providence, incarnation and atonement - an overview

Pre-course task: Read and Reflect on Bosch’s 13 point definition of Mission
2.    Mission (6hrs) 

• Towards a Theology of mission
• Discerning God at work – ‘find out what God is doing and join in’
• The ecology of mission
• Mission: Inherited Church and Fresh Expressions

Assessment task: written reflection

Assessment method: Written task (1500 words)
Write a reflection on what God has taught you across your year’s studying, where he is leading you and how you intend to respond. This task should demonstrate aspects of reflective practice and the ability to reflect on your shared experience with others.
 

Authorised Lay Ministers work within a parish or benefice setting and exercise a particular ministry. On completion of the ‘Introduction to Theology’ Course, students can choose from one of four 12 hr units of study. Units of study are usually offered as 6 x 2hr sessions (online or in person) or 3 x 4hr sessions held in person on Saturdays during January, February and March.

• Pastoral Care        
• Evangelism        
• Preaching        
• Anna Chaplaincy    
• Schools Chaplaincy (from Year 2)
• Hospital Chaplaincy (from Year 2)
• Prison Chaplaincy (from Year 2)

Completion of the relevant unit of study will lead to the student being authorised as a Lay Minister by the Bishop of Peterborough. This will enable them to support ministry within their local context. 
Dates 2026-7
To be confirmed during 2026

The length of time studying on the ‘Introduction to Theology’ Course to the point of being Authorised as a Lay Minister is usually about 15 months.

1.    Introduction

The Lay Ministry Course 2026 is designed to allow students to gain a broad understanding of key theological concepts which will enable them to develop as Authorised or Licenced Lay Ministers. The course utilises the learning outcomes contained within the national Church of England’s Reader Formational framework 2021 and is designed to ensure that Authorised and Licenced Lay Ministers within the Diocese are equipped and formed to serve God within their local context.
Utilising a simple model of theological reflection, the lay ministry course combines learning about key theological concepts with spiritual formation recognising that to minister effectively those participating on the course need to develop in their own walk with God, father, Son and Holy Spirit.

2.    Pastoral Care and Spiritual Formation

Spiritual formation and pastoral care are at the heart of our approach to Lay Ministry training in the Diocese of Peterborough.
Training and Development activities (the core curriculum) are undertaken alongside ‘Practice Groups’ which meet monthly online to theologically reflect on what is being learnt and experienced and to provide prayerful pastoral support.
Each group consists of no more than five students with a group facilitator. The groups will meet across the three years of training and will become a significant part of the spiritual formation journey. It is hoped that the groups will continue to meet once readers are licenced as part of any ongoing spiritual formation. 
Opportunities for more detailed discussion and learning will be provided through the formation of ‘book clubs’ where key texts can be reflected on in more detail. These groups will include experienced, newly qualified and lay ministers-in-training.

3.    Key personal development outcomes

These outcomes will form a central part of the individual’s spiritual formation as they progress through the course. 
If following a licenced pathway, greater depth will be observed within the Y2 programme of study and the compulsory continuing ministerial development which will occur within the first year of licenced ministry.

Love for God

The student:

• Is rooted in established patterns of corporate worship, Bible reading, prayer, study and reflection.
• Relates their prayer and worship to the world of home, work and society.
• Is enthusiastic and open about developing their understanding and practice of a range of approaches to Christian spirituality.

Love for the World

The student:

• Has a call to serve in this ministry that is recognised and affirmed by others.
• Shows personal understanding of their gifts for lay ministry.
• Is informed and realistic about the costliness and impact of being in public ministry.

Love for People

The student:
Is a person of openness, stability and self-awareness.
Can nurture themselves while caring for others. 
Can recognise, understand and seek to address their own biases.

Wisdom

The student:

• Shows personal integrity, emotional maturity and honesty.
• Makes good use of feedback, receiving it well and using it to identify areas of strength and areas for development.

Fruitfulness

The student:

• Sustains their own resources and energy through good self-care and nurture 
• Can recognise, use and develop their gifts and strengths, and understand and mitigate their vulnerabilities 
• Models humility 
• Resources themselves through good self-care and maintains a breadth of interests to enable flourishing and growth

Potential 

The student:

• Engages with change in a flexible way.
• Shows imagination, adaptability & creativity.
• Takes appropriate care of self and others Handle conflict positively.
• Reflects critically and with humility on the exercise of their ministry and its opportunities for development and on personal strengths, weaknesses and goals for personal development.
• Has an understanding and experience of the Anglican discipline of common prayer.
• Sustains the demands of Christian service well.

Trustworthiness

The student:

• Is ready to exercise lay ministry as an Authorised or Licensed minister within the Church of England
• Knows the importance of appropriate boundaries including within and between relationship 
• Demonstrates the ability to respect confidentiality 
• Can reflect on how they integrate difficult personal experiences and hard times in life

1.    Locally Recognised Lay Ministry (parish based)

Recognised ministries happen in the local parish, benefice, chaplaincy or fresh expression. Examples of recognised ministry include leading a home group, pastoral care, assisting with children and youth ministry, offering prayer and listening, acting as a chaplaincy assistant or exploring growing church locally.

Selection, recognition and training is usually local, led by the minister in the parish or deanery. Some local ministry roles will have diocesan training too, for example safeguarding courses.

Recognised minsters would usually be supervised by the incumbent or a delegated responsible person authorised or licensed to lead an area of work. There should be regular local review for renewal of recognition.

Responsibility for safeguarding training and checks lies with the PCC or other local responsible body.

2.    Authorised Lay Ministry (Parish/Benefice based with the Bishops authorisation to minister locally) 

Authorised ministries represent the church in the wider community.
Authorisation (which might be called Commissioning) is by the bishop on the advice of local officers, it may be time limited or reviewed regularly on behalf of the bishop.
Examples of authorised ministry includes pastoral assistants, worship leaders, preachers, or assistant youth and children’s ministers.

Selection may be local or diocesan, while training is usually through a diocesan programme.

Authorised ministers are supervised by the local incumbent with final accountability to the bishop. Responsibility for safeguarding training and checks is with the Diocese.

3.    Licenced Lay Ministry (Reader) (Parish/Benefice based with the ability to minister nationally)

Licensed lay ministries represent the church in a public, representative or leadership role. Examples of licensed lay ministers include Readers, (also known as Licensed Lay Ministers), Church Army evangelists, lay workers and some lay pioneers.
Licensed ministers may be involved in evangelism, mission-enabling, teaching, preaching, leading of worship, taking funerals, leading a Fresh Expression and community outreach.

Licenses are issued by the diocesan bishop as required by Canon and are nationally recognised.

Selection is carried out by dioceses, following national guidelines. Training is carried out by the diocese or on behalf of the diocese and there is provision for ongoing ministerial development.

Licensed lay ministers are supervised by the local incumbent, with final accountability to the Bishop. There should be a regular, ideally annual, review.

Responsibility for safeguarding training and checks is with the Diocese