We are 'Growing Forward Together Towards 2020' and local communities are discovering how ALM training better equips their people for more effective ministry. Upwards of 80 people have already been trained and authorised as Pastoral Assistants, Evangelists/Mission Enablers, Worship Leaders, Youth leaders, Healing and Wholeness ministers, and Children's Leaders. Church and community life at every level has been greatly enriched by all that they have been released to do in these particular roles.

• ALM Course Guide
• ALM Leaflet 2010 / 11
• ALM Course 2010/11 - Summary of Core Module and Elective Sessions
• ALM Children's Leader Leaflet 2010/11
• ALM Application Form 2010/11
• ALM 2010 / 11 Application letter

What is Authorised Lay Ministry?

All Christians are called to follow Jesus and use their gifts and talents in his service. Authorised Lay Ministers are offering themselves to help transform his world in the following ways:

• by representing the church in the community
• by leading particular areas of ministry
• by encouraging each other to develop and use their gifts

Together with the incumbent and other members of their local ministry team, ALMs share in the public ministry of the local church, as they serve their local parishes. ALM ministry takes many different forms depending upon the church base.

The programme will help prepare candidates to share ministry in these areas:

• Children's Leader *
• Mission Enabler
• Healing & Wholeness**
• Pastoral Assistant
• Worship Leader
• Youth Leader

* See the ALM Children's Leader leaflet for more information

**Applicants for this course must have completed an introductory course. For more information contact Amanda Evans on 01304 842847

What sort of training is offered?

The training of ALMs has always sought to equip those whom God is calling with relevant skills, knowledge and personal development. It aims to do this by providing a training that:

is open and accessible

builds confidence in faith, understanding more about God, following Jesus, being part of his Church and engaging as Christians in the world

provides opportunities to reflect on Scripture and Tradition that also include prayer and discussion with others

makes connections with and values candidates' life experience

It's about equipping God's people in service!

How long does it take and what is involved?

The programme will run from September to June each year.
There are 3 Saturday mornings and 3 of eight 2-hour sessions each.

ALM Induction Morning
At the start of the programme there is a one morning introductory session. This is for the students joining the ALM programme and for their Training Minister to understand the way the course operates and to draw up a training agreement.

A Core Module in Discipleship and Ministry
(Autumn Term)
God's call to ministry and how those in ministry need to develop their life of discipleship

Ministry Update Morning
(Spring Term)
A morning for reflection together on the call to ministry, its costs and challenges. How can God sustain us for his service?

Ministry Electives
(Spring and Summer Terms)
Student will choose a single ministry elective for modules 2 and 3. Each ministry elective will be an opportunity to deepen and strengthen competency in awareness of that area of ministry.

Ministry Workshop Morning
(Late June)
The programme concludes in June with a second study morning for the Minister and ALM candidates. This day will explore working collaboratively within the local pattern of roles and responsibilities. It will also provide guidance on the drawing up of a ministry agreement.

Ministry Elective Modules

These will run in the spring and summer terms, with eight two-hour sessions or equivalent. Attention will be given to the needs of individual participants and to the local contexts in which they will minister. See further listing of session topics in the ALM Course 2010/11 - Summary of Core Module and Electives Sessions.

Children's Leader
Prepares children's leaders to increase their understanding and awareness of children and their learning needs as disciples of Christ. Students are encouraged to develop their skills and to identify how to nurture children's ministry within their local church setting.

Mission Enabler
Familiarises students with current issues in mission that impact local churches and communities, and to equip them with tools for working with others in their churches to enable growth for the kingdom of God.

Healing & Wholeness Minister
Equips and develop those called to the ministry of healing and wholeness by giving them both theoretical and practical experience in prayer ministry and related topics. The learning builds on the pre-requisite introductory course and enables learners to take an expanded role in teams.

Pastoral Assistant
Gives students knowledge and understanding of a range of topics relating to pastoral care and to develop their own self awareness and practical skills. Students will be prepared to minister pastorally in appropriate pastoral contexts

Worship Leader
Builds the confidence and ability of the worship leader students towards understanding, creating and leading acts of worship within their church contexts

Youth Leader
The purpose of this elective is to equip youth leaders for their church's ministry with young people and to link the topics covered to their local situations. The pattern of the course is to work through 'understanding, working and developing' in line with the Oasis Trust Course 'What Every Volunteer Youth Worker Should Know'. Further sessions include issues relevant for youth ministers within the Diocese.

What can ALM training do?

Training for people with much or little ministry experience who need to develop their competency for particular areas of service
An experiential learning opportunity to help raise the confidence levels of people with ministry potential
A way of exploring a form of authorised ministry with people who don't have the time or scope for more in depth or longer courses
An opportunity for being facilitated by experienced trainers from all corners of ministry
A place to explore and value the experience of past ministry and to develop individual gifting

What ALM training is not?

An accredited, transferable qualification to another parish, diocese or course - there are no selection or evaluation criteria other than what your local church agrees
A qualification to take up an office within a church
A licensed diocesan ministry like Readers or ordained ministers
A course providing on the job training - the sending church is responsible for this
An academic survey of Christian theology or history of Christian tradition
The only way to prepare and train people for ministry in a particular parish. Self organised parish, deanery or team training are sometimes better options for parish authorisation

What is expected of those who begin training?

Where will I get support?
And who pays?

Candidates can expect support from their incumbent and local ministry team and church. Those who are co-ordinating the programme will also be alongside in a supporting role. In addition, the Diocese offers through the Children & Youth and Licensed Ministry Training Scheme libraries a significant stock of books, videos and other material, which can be borrowed during and after the programme.

All of the costs of the programme are met by the Diocese

Is this for me?
Is this for our church?
How will I decide?

You may be someone who has not yet taken any formal role in the mission and ministry of your local church but would like to. You may have been contributing in a number of ways for some time, but would like some training to help you to contribute better.

If you think God may be calling you to Authorised Lay Ministry:

Pray - take time with God to see if the idea sticks and feels right

Talk - to friends in your church, your family and your Incumbent and reflect on their feedback about what you have to offer and the practicalities of making this commitment.

Contact the Local Ministries Administrator, Sarah Lucas at almenquiries@diocant.org Tel: 01227 459401 for an application pack