Last updated 25th October 2024

Authorised Lay Ministry

The Authorised Lay Ministry (ALM) Pathway

ALM Training

Purpose

The ALM training programme is designed to nurture and equip people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives who bring a variety of gifts to the body of Christ. Our aim is to train people to minister and lead in their local context, who have a firm foundation of faith in Christ, expressed in daily life, and who are skilled in their specific areas of calling and gifting. This will be achieved through a core module, designed to nurture a pattern of life which expresses love for God and neighbour, along with elective modules which equip people with practical skills in specific ministry areas.

Core Module

This module aims to help individuals to develop a personal Rule of Life, and to see how this connects with the regular worship of the local church context. This outworking of discipleship in both the individual and community is vital to a firm foundation for ministry and leadership in the church. Much like the ‘core’ of the physical body needs to be strengthened in order for the whole body to be strong, this core module is designed to strengthen the whole body of Christ as individuals embrace spiritual formation and see how this connects to the worship of the local church. The Core Module will run three times a year over 10 evenings in a variety of locations around the Diocese to maximise participation for as many people as possible.

Download an 'sample' outline of this course here

Core Module Dates

• Click here to view dates for 2024-2025 

Elective Modules

We offer a range of elective modules focusing on training people for a variety of ministries. These modules will run over 6-8 sessions and will be shaped by the skills being taught, so may be held over a series of evenings or on Saturdays, or a combination of both. Each elective will normally be held once a year.

We are hoping to run the following electives in 2024-2025 (see the following links to current course outlines to see what content is included, with forthcoming dates to be confirmed).

• Administration (TBC)
• Children’s Ministry (Summer 2025) 
• Creation Care (Spring 2025)
• Later Life Ministry (Spring 2025)
• Mission Outreach (Summer 2025)
• Pastoral Care (Autumn 2024 and Summer 2025)
• Preaching (Summer 2025)
• Small Group Leadership (Autumn 2024)
• Worship Leading (Spring 2025)
• Youth Ministry

If you are a local parish or Area Dean who would like to host one of these electives, please do email laytraining@blackburn.anglican.org.

Mentoring

Each ALM candidate will be given a mentor to walk with them through their training who will help them to reflect upon their learning in both the Core and Elective modules. Mentors will meet candidates four times over the course of their training and will discuss the candidate’s reflections recorded in their learning diary.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor for ALM candidates, you can find out more here and download an application form here.

Application form and deadlines:

Download an ALM application form here

Application deadline: 25th November 2024 for the Spring Term. 
 

If you would like to have an informal conversation about ALM training please email laytraining@blackburn.anglican.org in the first instance.