Reader Training

"To be a Reader is challenging, exciting and immensely rewarding... and over 10 000 people have found it to be so for themselves." So writes the Bishop of Carlisle and Chairman of the Central Readers’ Council. Reader ministry is the largest accredited lay ministry in the Church of England. Today it has a substantial role to play in the life of the church and its mission in the world. The training of Readers has grown and developed to match their greater role.

The Diocese of Portsmouth provides appropriate training for those preparing to be licensed as Readers in the diocese. The support and encouragement which trainees receive from both their parish clergy and congregation during this period of initial training is of vital importance.

The training is designed to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills that are appropriate to the lay ministry of preaching and teaching and the leading of worship within a pastoral context, and to promote the formation of those who have been called to exercise the ministry of a Reader in the Church of England. It combines academic rigour with an approach that takes seriously the context within which Readers exercise their ministry. Whilst much of the training for Reader ministry is undertaken in tutorial groups, ‘hands-on’ experience in the parish is an important part of each trainee’s preparation.

 Induction procedure

[For those selected for training]

• Attend the induction study day [Held on a Saturday in July, at the University of Winchester]
• Complete documents for clearance by Criminal Records Bureau
• Be registered with the Central Readers’ Board
• Undertake prescribed summer reading of the Bible
• Develop your interim Ministry agreement with your incumbent

The first Module

Attend Old Testament Tutorials [9 evening meetings, early September – December]

 Mainland Training                                                           Isle of Wight Training