About the AALP

The AALP provides an exciting opportunity to deepen your faith through theological reflection, personal development and biblical study. We aim to help you develop your vocation as a Lay Preacher as well as your preaching and worship leading skills. Successful completion of the course leads to Assembly Accreditation as a Lay Preacher. If you’re interested in joining the next cohort and want more information, please contact us or speak to your Synod training officer (or similar post-holder) to register your interest. The next cohort starts in September 2026.

To discover more about the AALP, visit the United Reformed Church website.

Moravian students can contact Michael Newman at michael.newman@moravian.org.uk.

How the AALP is taught

The AALP is delivered in-person and online.

Course content

  • Biblical Studies
  • Introduction to Worship
  • Developing Preaching
  • Safer Sacred Spaces
  • Also covers Personal & Spiritual Development throughout

Assessment

Over the course you will build a portfolio which will contain some of the following.

  • Journal
  • Order(s) of Service
  • Book Reviews
  • Reflective pieces (with Mentor feedback)

You will also complete and assignments for each module.

Mentor student relationship

  • Together with your denominational representative, you will find a mentor to support you throughout the course.
  • Meet once every two months during term time (1-2 hours – In person, online or phone)
  • Mentor to observe at least two services every year.
  • Offer formal and informal feedback (book reviews, services, and journal entries the student brings)
  • Prayer and pastoral support
Course Costs

The cost of the AALP is £1500 per year, and it runs for two years. This includes the cost of residential weekends including accommodation at Luther King House and your meals on Saturday and your breakfast and lunch on Sunday. They do not include travel costs.

Funding

If you need help with funding, you should, in the first instance, ask your local church and Synod if they are able to assist.  Where this is not possible, or where there may be a shortfall, you should contact your Synod Training and Development Officer or equivalent.  They will liaise with the Ministries Office who are able to underwrite any shortfall, in order to ensure that funding is not a barrier to studying on the AALP course.

Study Duration

3 Residential Weekends per year

2026–2027 Residentials (Luther King House, Brighton Grove, Manchester, M14 5JP)

• 26-27 September 2026 – Check in on 25 Sept and check out on 27 Sept

• 6-7 March 2027 – Check in on 5 March and check out on 7 March

• 22-23 May 2027 – Check in on 21 May and check out on 23 May

4 Modules taught, online, during weekends throughout the year (In 2025/2026 the course was taught on five Saturdays between November and May. This is a guideline only as teaching schedules change from year-to-year.

Teaching weekends in 2026/2027 are the following – Please note that the course might only be taught on some of them:

  • 3-4 October 2026
  • 14-15 November 2026
  • 12-13 December 2026
  • 16-17 January 2027
  • 13-14 February 2027
  • 20-21 March 2027
  • 8-9 May 2027

Useful Information

Our Virtual Learning Site, Moodle, will be your one-stop hub for all key information, documents and resources related to your course. You will also benefit from membership to Luther King’s theological library and learning resources, and can contact the librarian for study skills and other academic support at any time.

Individual challenges should not be a challenge to learning. We strive to support everybody in every way. Learn about how we help neurodiverse and/or disabled students, and anyone with additional learning needs.

Application forms

URC students can request an application by emailing  ministries@urc.org.uk

Moravian students can request an application by emailing  michael.newman@moravian.org.uk

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