23rd October 2026

ALMs commissioned/recommissioned at Cathedral in celebration of lay ministry

More than 50 people from churches across Lancashire gathered at Blackburn Cathedral this week to be commissioned or recommissioned as Authorised Lay Ministers (ALMs), equipping them to serve their local parishes in a wide range of ministries.

The service was led by the Rt Rev Dr Jill Duff, Bishop of Lancaster. Bishop Jill is pictured above with the group of ALMs following the commissioning service, alongside the Rt Rev Philip North, Bishop of Blackburn.

Introduced across the Diocese in 2021, Authorised Lay Ministry is one of several pathways that enable lay people to develop and exercise their gifts in the life and mission of the Church. Each ALM undertakes training for a specific ministry role within their own church and community, before being authorised to serve in that area.

During the service, the ALMs were commissioned by their parish priests for the ministries to which they have been called.

Authorised Lay Ministry complements the work of Licensed Lay Ministers (LLMs), whose ministry typically spans a broader range of responsibilities within parish life.

For more information about Authorised Lay Ministry in the Diocese of Blackburn, including details of how to become an ALM and a short introductory video, visit this page (add and check link).  https://www.blackburn.anglican.org/authorised-lay-ministry.

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