Licensed Lay Ministry (LLM)

Licensed lay ministers (LLMs) serve their congregation in a variety of ways. Some serve when their pastor or deacon is away. Some serve during a pastoral transition or long-term vacancy. Others serve as one of the 6 LLMs in a 6261 Ministry Community.

What is a Licensed Lay Minister?

What does a licensed lay minister do?

Lay Ministers will be licensed by the Bishop to perform certain duties within specific congregations or 6261 Ministry Communities. These duties may include:

Praying for their congregation or their 6261 Ministry Community (and its 6 congregations) along with the surrounding community and ministries
Preaching
Leading Worship services
Leading Bible studies
Leading and coordinating small groups
Visiting those in the hospital, the homebound, and others who request a visit
Potential for licensed Sacramental authorization in special circumstances

What is the difference between a lay leader and a licensed lay minister?

Every congregation is served by a variety of lay leaders! Lay leaders are people who volunteer with altar guild, as assistant ministers, on committees/teams, who serve on Council, and who volunteer to help lead any ministry efforts.

Licensed lay ministers are a type of lay leader who has been formally licensed by the Bishop to perform certain tasks, worship leadership, and ministry within a congregation or 6261 Ministry Community setting. All licensed lay ministers will complete the 2-year LLM formation path along with a mentor relationship for ongoing formation.

How do I become a licensed lay minister?

How do lay ministers differ from pastors and deacons?

Lay ministers will vary in their theological backgrounds and training, gifts and passions for ministry, and their availability for service.

Deacons and pastors are rostered ministers, called by the Synod to a 6261 Ministry Community, individual congregation, or Synod-authorized ministry site. Both deacons and pastors have completed a seminary-level theological degree with equivalent training and candidacy rostering requirements.

For more detailed descriptions of the roles of pastors and deacons please click here.

Does a licensed lay minister serve every Sunday?

Lay ministers may serve when their pastor or deacon are on vacation, are sick, are on sabbatical, or are taking parental leave.

Some lay ministers may be called upon by the Bishop to lead a congregation in weekly worship when that congregation has a pastoral vacancy.

Lay ministers in a 6261 Ministry Community will be licensed to serve in their congregation when a pastor or deacon is unable to lead worship that Sunday, either because they are sick or on vacation, or because they are leading worship at one of the other 5 congregations of the 6261 Ministry Community. There is no expectation that a lay minister would serve every Sunday!

As part of the 6261 Ministry Community staff, lay ministers will coordinate the Sunday leadership schedule with the deacon and pastors. This way staff and congregation members will know who is serving where and when.

Why should I consider becoming a licensed lay minister?

Have you ever asked yourself, “What is God calling me to do right now? How can I best serve God and my neighbor? What gifts do I have that I am not using?”

If so, perhaps becoming a LLM could be the answer to those profound, discerning questions.

The Church has always needed and benefited from lay leaders and the variety of gifts they bring to the Church community. Whether you are considering serving your individual congregation, a nearby congregation in transition, or are interested in serving in a 6261 Ministry Community, your gifts are treasured. God calls each and every one of us to use our particular set of skills and talents to serve our neighbor through loving service and by sharing the Good News we have in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Together we are the Body of Christ - one Church community bound together for worship, transformation, and lives of service. This priesthood of all believers, alongside the LLM formation path, is one place for you to explore and share your spiritual gifts.

Expectations of Licensed Lay Ministers

How do I know if I might be a good fit for licensed lay ministry?

Lay ministers serving a 6261 Ministry Community should have several of the following characteristics:

Spiritually grounded and rooted in Scripture and spiritual practices
Sense of vocation
Willingness, time, and capacity to participate in LLM formation path
Willing to receive feedback and mentoring as a part of continued professional and spiritual growth
Self-aware and committed to ongoing learning and personal growth
Understanding of worship participation and leadership
Good interpersonal and communication skills
Welcoming, hospitable, inviting presence to all; avoids subgrouping/cliques
Adaptable, comfortable with new things
Speaks honestly and will curb gossip
Member of an ELCA congregation, preferably within the NEPA Synod

What is expected of me as a licensed lay minister?

The NEPA Synod expects the following of its lay ministers serving within their own congregation as supporting minister to their pastor:

Actively participates in and completes the LLM formation path. This includes attending all 4 retreats over the 2-year program.
Upon completion of the LLM formation path, engages in continuing education for ongoing leadership and theological development.  This includes participating in regular Boundary Training and Racial Justice Training.
Continues on-going discernment for vocational, spiritual, and personal growth, which may include utilizing coaching or spiritual direction.
Works under the direction of the pastor, leading in ways that support the ministry of the pastor and serves the good of the congregation.
Fills in for the pastor when called upon (such as during pastoral vacations and sabbaticals).

What is expected of me as a licensed lay minister in a 6261 Ministry Community?

The NEPA Synod expects the following of its lay ministers serving 6261 Ministry Communities:

Actively participates in and completes the LLM formation path. This includes attending all 4 retreats over the 2-year program.
Upon completion of the LLM formation path, engages in continuing education for ongoing leadership and theological development. This includes participating in regular Boundary Training and Racial Justice Training.
Continues on-going discernment for vocational, spiritual, and personal growth, which may include utilizing coaching or spiritual direction.
Works collaboratively and collegially with the other staff of the 6261 Ministry Community (pastors, deacon, lay ministers) and attends weekly staff meetings and weekly staff coaching sessions.
Provides lay leadership within his/her “home” congregation including worship and preaching on a regular basis as established by the 6261 Ministry Community.
Builds relationships and bridges within "home" congregation and across the congregations of the 6261 Ministry Community.
In partnership with staff, leads and engages the 6261 Ministry Community to define its ministry vision and embeddedness within the surrounding community for mutual ministry.
Works to integrate technology, where needed and appropriate.

What is expected of me as a licensed lay minister serving during a pastoral transition or long-term vacancy?

The NEPA Synod expects the following of its lay ministers serving as the solo minister in a congregation:

Actively participates in and completes the LLM formation path. This includes attending all 4 retreats over the 2-year program.
Upon completion of the LLM formation path, engages in continuing education for ongoing leadership and theological development.  This includes participating in regular Boundary Training and Racial Justice Training.
Continues on-going discernment for vocational, spiritual, and personal growth, which may include utilizing coaching or spiritual direction.
Works under the direction and with the support of their Mentor Pastor.

Provides lay leadership within the congregation in which they serve, including leading worship and preaching.
Serves the congregation in ways agreed to by the congregation (such as visitation and leading Bible Study).
Works to integrate technology, where needed and appropriate.

How will I be supported?

Lay ministers will work closely with the pastors and deacon of their 6261 Ministry Community. The deacon and pastors will serve as mentors, supervisors, and discernment partners. Congregations are encouraged to support their lay ministers financially as well as with prayers and encouragement.

Lay ministers serving congregations not in a 6261 Ministry Community will have a Mentor Pastor to guide them, give feedback, and discern with them along their formation journey.

Licensed Lay Ministry (LLM) Formation Path

What is the LLM Formation Path?

The LLM (Licensed Lay Ministry) formation path gives lay leaders the theological and practical training to provide lay leadership and preaching within a congregation or the 6261 Ministry Community. As a part of the LLM formation path, lay ministers take 4 theological classes and attend 4 retreats for additional formation. Lay ministers will simultaneously complete the requirements to become officially authorized, or "licensed," by the NEPA Synod for service within their ministry context.

How long does it take to complete?

This depends on how many academic theology classes you choose to take at a time. The LLM formation path suggests taking 1 class per semester (for a total of 4 semesters), which would allow you to complete all 4 classes within 2 years. If you need to follow a more spread out schedule, it will take longer than 2 years. As long as you are taking classes, you will also be attending the 2 retreats per year.

How much does the LLM Formation Path cost?

The cost of the Licensed Lay Ministry formation path includes:

$1000 formation fee paid to the Synod to cover the cost of the four retreats
$450-$800 per class for the four “Foundational Courses,” paid to the institute of higher education chosen by the LLM candidate
The expense of books for the retreats and classes

Please note that it is typically expected that the congregation where the Lay Minister will serve will cover the $1000 formation fee and at least part of the cost of the foundational courses.

What will I learn?

As part of the LLM formation path, you will learn how to preach, lead worship, and the theology that grounds our spiritual practices.

Theology courses are incorporated throughout the entire program and include:

Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)
Christian Scriptures (New Testament)
Theology and Beliefs
Church History

You can download the list of courses offered at each of the approved institutions here.

Retreats will always include an element of preaching so that you can begin preaching in your context right away! Retreats happen twice per year and will each have their own theological and practical focus including:

Lutheran Preaching
Lutheran Worship
Lutheran Theology/Confessions
Pastoral Care

How do I apply?

QUICK LINKS

Check out these quick links for additional information!

LLM APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!

If you are ready and interested in applying to the LLM formation path, click the button below and complete the application online.

Apply Now!

Interested? Have questions?

If you are interested in learning more or potentially participating in the LLM formation path, please fill out this brief information form: bit.ly/LLMinterest.

You can also email Pr. Jira Albers, the LLM Director at llm@nepsynod.org. Let him know your current congregation along with your interest in the LLM formation path or any questions you might have.