West Lindsey Deanery (Lawres) – ‘To Love and Serve the Lord’ ALM Foundation Course

To Love and Serve the Lord’ is the sort of course you can do just because you’re interested, simply because you want to explore your faith or to be more confident in what you believe. Just for the fun of it! You can also use it as the foundation course before further training as an Authorised Lay Minister.

West Lindsey Deanery is offering this 16 week introductory course. Your course leader will be the Revd Michelle Webb along with other members of Clergy in the Deanery. If you have missed the start of this course, please contact collegeofsthugh@lincoln.anglican.org who can direct you to your next nearest course.

June – September 2026

Starting with a taster session on the 2nd June 2026, sessions will run on Tuesday evenings from 7pm at Rooms 19/20 The Communty Hub, East Street, Nettleham, LN2 2SL. This course is open to anyone wanting to discover more about their faith or wants to discern what God might be calling them to including Authorised Lay Ministry. Each participant will be provided with a handbook to accompany the course. The course will include group work, discussion, some reading, visiting other places of Christian worship, presentation and time for reflection and prayer.

Who is the course for?

The course is open primarily to Christians seeking to grow in discipleship, mission and ministry in Lincolnshire and surrounding deaneries. We are keen to welcome people from nearby. It is also the foundation course for people exploring a calling to Authorised Lay Ministry. ALMs are authorised to be pastoral visitors, to lead public worship, to be involved with children’s and youth work and in evangelism. This isn’t the sort of course where you have to write essays, however there will be some ‘homework’: something to read, something to think about, something to discover.

How do I apply?

Everyone is welcome, and potential ALM candidates should discuss their call to this ministry with their church leader. Fill out the form on the big yellow ‘Register‘ button to contact the course leader, the Revd Michelle Webb. If you are applying from beyond the local deanery, they will need to be in contact with your local priest and/or rural dean to secure their support.

What will I need?

When your attendance on the course has been confirmed, you will get access to the ‘To Love and Serve the Lord’ Participants Handbook. This will be your core text and will take you through the reading materials, activities, expectations and prayer resources used in the course. You can either read it online, download it you your computer or print it out for paper-based use.

You will also need a bible and a personal reflective notebook or journal to keep your notes all in one place as you go through the course. There is not formal graded assessments, however you will be asked to share your learning with your colleagues and trainers as you go.

Helpful Information to Note

This is an accessible venue and refreshments will be provided.