L
icensed Lay Ministers and lay leaders from across the Diocese of Oxford gathered in June to explore how the Bible shapes pastoral care, during two days of worship, learning and fellowship.
The annual conference brought together Licensed Lay Ministers alongside a growing number of other lay ministers, including worship pastors, family workers and authorised preachers. Through keynote teaching, workshops and shared worship, the weekend offered space to deepen understanding, encourage one another and reflect on the varied ministries taking place across the diocese.
The Revd Dr Joanna Collicutt led the keynote sessions, offering insightful teaching on pastoral care and the Bible. Delegates also chose from workshops exploring apologetics, spirituality, theology and biblical studies, while informal conversations throughout the weekend gave people the chance to share experiences of ministry and learn from one another.
The Revd Dr Andy Angel, Director of Formation for Ministry, said:
"The LLM Conference was a wonderful occasion of worship, learning and fellowship. Joanna gave thoughtful and thought-provoking sessions on pastoral care and the Bible."
Andy continued: "For the second year running, we opened the conference up to lay ministers of all kinds, and it was a joy to welcome worship pastors, family workers and authorised preachers. We will be welcoming all lay ministry to the conference next year."
Paul Mileham, an LLM from Buckingham Parish Church, described the weekend as "excellent" and "uplifting", kindly sharing photographs from the event.
More about lay ministry
In the Diocese of Oxford, Readers are known as Licensed Lay Ministers. They are lay people from all walks of life who are called by God, theologically trained and licensed by the Church to preach, teach, lead worship and assist in pastoral, evangelistic and liturgical ministry.
The annual conference is one of three key opportunities for the diocesan lay ministry community to gather, alongside the spring forum teaching day and a celebratory service each November. From 2027, the conference will be open to all lay ministers, with the next gathering planned for the first weekend of June. Save the date!