Reader Ministry
Who they are
The Office of Reader has existed in its present form in the Church of England since 1866 and there are now 10,000 Readers, some in every diocese. Theirs is the only nationally accredited voluntary lay ministry which is governed by Canon and episcopally licensed.
Readers are lay men and women from a wide diversity of occupations and backgrounds - teachers, shop or office workers, accountants, machine operators, nurses... They may be found in agriculture, government, industry, or at home. From such contexts, readers bring a rich experience of the community to the work of preaching and teaching which is at the heart of their pastoral ministry.
Their close contact with everyday situations helps them to interpret the Gospel and to proclaim Christ's teaching in the Church and in the world. Readers work as members of teams with clergy and other laity, mainly in parishes, but also in prisons, hospitals, and in the armed forces.
“Readers can be builders of bridges between the believing church and the unbelieving world.” Bishop Christopher Mayfield, Chair of the Central Readers Council
What they do
Readers main duties include: preaching, teaching, leading worship, assisting at holy communion, pastoral work, and in many dioceses they may conduct funerals.
Readers are often active in teaching young people and leading discussion groups. They may also be involved in confirmation classes, youth work, and marriage preparation. Their work includes outreach, helping others to grow in their faith, and enabling others to explore a call to Christian witness. Readers' pastoral activity can involve visiting, counselling, comforting, and generally showing the love and care of the church for all, whatever their need. They may also be engaged in ecumenical work. Readers find many informal ways of ministering by their presence, witness and listening at their places of work, at home among the neighbours and in their local communities.
Outline of Selection and Training
