Reader Ministry
Reader ministry has ancient roots, but in its present form dates back to the mid-Nineteenth Century. The first Reader licensed under the revived order was a Gloucestershire man, JDT Niblett of Standish. Men and women can become Readers and there are now more than 10,000 active Readers in England.Readers in the diocese minister in all kinds of ways, but the heart of their work is to preach and teach, and to conduct worship.
A licensed Reader can preach at any service, lead Morning and Evening Prayer, parts of the Communion service, and most other services. Readers can take consecrated bread and wine to the housebound, make pastoral visits, lead groups, and teach, and in certain circumstances officiate at funeral services.
Readers are lay people. In church they can often be identified by the blue scarf they wear, but they always remain part of the people of God and their ministry, moving between the pews, pulpit and altar, helps remind us that we all share Christ's ministry
To be a Reader you will need to go through a process of selection and discernment which normally begins with a conversation with your parish priest and then you will begin a period of intense and stimulating training, which at many points is close to the training undertaken by those preparing for ordination.
The strength of the Readers is that they come from - and will remain in - all walks of life. They do not have to be academics to be good Readers, but must show that they are willing to learn, to work on the necessary skills and to grow in understanding of the ministry to which they are called. (From the Diocesan Handbook)
For more information contact the Revd Stephen Ware the Warden of Readers in the Department of Ministry.
Reader Sunday 2008
Reader Sunday will be on 22 June 2008.This has taken place for several years and is an opportunity for Readers to make themselves available to go and preach and/or lead worship in a parish other than their own.
Sermon Outline on Reader Ministry (28.5 KB)
Sermon Outline on Reader Ministry for Reader Sunday - 22 June 2008. An MS Word document.
Magazine Article on Reader Ministry (85.41 KB)
Magazine Article on Reader Ministry for Reader Sunday - 22 June 2008. A PDF document.
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