“Immense demand” means more than 1,500 lay people have been trained on a variety of courses in the past year, with further learning opportunities now available on the Digital Learning Platform.
Revd Dr Hayley Matthews, Director of Lay Training, gave an overview of some of the main courses delivered by her team in a presentation to the June Synod and said there was a great desire across the diocese for such training.
She explained two new training pathways for Lay Pastoral Ministers and Lay Worship Leaders.
“Those involved in pastoral care within their parish can train at three levels; Pastoral Visitors, Pastoral Assistants and Lay Pastoral Ministers” Revd Hayley said.
“This course replaces the current Lay Pastoral Ministers course in Mirfield which currently takes three years on Common Awards theology modules, but will now involve ten months of taught sessions followed by a year of mentoring whilst in ministry.
“The demand for this area of training is immense with over 345 individuals attending the Level 1 course in the past 18 months.
“We are currently piloting the level two course in two areas with many of those attending already signed up to go on to the full Lay Pastoral Ministry course.”
The revised Lay Worship Leaders course will also take place over ten months, after extensive consultation with existing Lay Worship Leaders who requested further training on the Bible and using Common Worship / liturgy creatively.
The final six weeks of the revised course ensures that when there is no Reader or Clergy available to preach a sermon, LWLs can create a ‘Pause for Thought’, supporting their congregation in reflecting on the Bible readings and gospel of the day.
In both cases training includes a local commissioning service in their parish in or at Pentecost followed by a final term of training whilst in ministry to support individuals in their new roles.
Developments in the Digital Learning Platform include the development of Learning Communities for specialist interest and ministry groups as well as a brief look at the opportunities for blended learning (online activities and resources to support, compliment and consolidate face to face teaching and learning).
The majority of course and events being delivered throughout the Diocese are now being discovered and booked onto by lay people independently through their free membership of the DLP.