Readers and Licensed Lay Minsters in Training from the Dioceses of Ely, Europe, Norwich, St Albans and St Edmundsbury and Ipswich study alongside Ordinands at ERMC.
Each of our partner dioceses has its own Reader/LLM training course, through which practical learning, placements, mentoring, pastoral support and other learning opportunities are organised. Academic learning takes place in partnership with ERMC. Reader/LLM students study for the Certificate of Higher Education in Theology, Ministry and Mission, which is validated by Durham University. You will study together with first and second year ordinands. This has the advantage that you will be part of a bigger group and get to meet students from other dioceses.
In addition to the evening classes, Reader/LLM students have six study days over the year, usually held on Saturdays.
Many Readers and clergy who studied together with ERMC go on to keep in touch after training and sometimes end up ministering together in the same church or chaplaincy. This all builds up a sense of working together. At ERMC we are committed to collaborative ministry between clergy and lay people – together we are the Church of God and serve God in ministry and mission.
There is an opportunity for further study after Reader training is completed. ERMC modules leading to the Diploma of Higher Education can be taken by Readers/LLMs as part of their continuing ministerial education – though students have to pay a fee to do this. (The Central Readers’ Council has a fund for this, though.)
If you are interested in training for this ministry, you need to talk to the right person in your diocese. For further information please follow the link for your diocese:
