1. WHAT IS A READER?

2. The office of Reader Voluntary Nationally accredited
Episcopally licensed and governed by Canon
Over 10,000 Readers in Anglican Church-men and women numerically equal
Lay people

3. Training of Readers Nationally authorised ……BUT
Organised on a Diocesan Level
Moderation
Continual Ministry Development (CMD)for Licensed Readers

4. HISTORY OF READER MINISTRY
Biblical root of Reader ministry is traced to Jesus’ reading in the Synagogue- Luke chapter 4.
People reading in Christian worship- Colossians 4 :16; Revelation 1:3.

5. The early Christians take up the mantle.
Justin Martyr-c AD-”Lectors”
Tertullian-200AD-”Lectors of Established Church Ministry”
Evidence from c. 200AD-400AD of un-ordained worship leaders in Asia/Europe -leading worship, burying the dead,-BUT NOT PREACHING

6. The Elizabethan Era(c.1570)
Matthew Parker-Archbishop of Canterbury created office of Reader in Church of England
Duties: Reading Morning and Evening Prayer from Cranmer’s 1549 BCP in clergy-less parishes
short term measure

7. Victorian Era-Why was Reader Ministry re-introduced??
Grave shortage of clergy
Population explosion

8. Victorian Era-How was Reader ministry re-introduced
1850s-Convocations of Canterbury
The Select Committee of Bishops and Clergy on Reader Ministry for MEN-
Reader Ministry to be under Canon Law regulation……….. led to …………………..

9. 1866-READER MINISTRY IS REINTRODUCED
Read Lessons at 1662 BCP Morning and Evening Prayer at the Chancel Step
Say BCP The Litany at the Chancel Step
Teaching and pastoral work
Preach in pubs, clubs and meetings outside church
Wear a Readers Medal

10. 1884 Regulations of Canon Law
Readers permitted to read Morning and Evening Prayer, except the Absolution, at the Chancel Step.

11. THE TWO TIER READER MINISTRY
1882 CANTERBURY CONVOCATION –suggested that there should be :
Lower Class Assistant Parochial Readers
Upper Class Diocesan Readers………..
Principles adopted under 1904 Canon Law Regulations
1941-ALL Readers licensed to both Diocese and Parish

12. 1904 Regulations of Canon Law
Two tier Reader System introduced
Allowed to preach in consecrated buildings at the Chancel Step for BCP Morning and Evening Prayer but NOT at Holy Communion

13. 1941 Regulations of Canon Law
Two tier System abolished-All Readers licensed to Diocese and Parish
Readers allowed to preach in a pulpit-but NOT at Holy Communion
Readers allowed to wear robes

14. 1969 Regulations of Canon Law
WOMEN ALLOWED TO BECOME READERS
Allowed to preach at Holy Communion
Readers Blue Scarf introduced to wear with/instead of Readers Medal

15. 1979 Regulations of Canon Law
Allowed to conduct Funerals and Cremations
Allowed to conduct the Churching of Women

16. 1988 Regulations of Canon Law
Readers permitted to administer the consecrated elements of Holy Communion without any further authorisation of the Bishop being regularly sought.

17. 2008 Reader Upbeat General Synod Report currently being debated
Every Reader in England being asked their opinions in their ministry, both good and bad ( Sheffield –Questionnaires) –what is the future?
Recognising that Reader ministry varies widely from Reader to Reader, Parish to Parish, Diocese to Diocese
Eg Who robes?? What is Reader Ministry?

18. 2008 Reader Upbeat (contd)
Thirty Recommendations in report including :
allowing Readers to Baptise
Giving Readers authority to look after some churches
Re-naming Readers “Local Lay Ministers”
Recognising Unique Role of Readers
Still being debated at Diocesan/National Level in 2015

19. READERS TODAY-THE ROLE OF THE READER
A member of parish staff team expected to fully share in the life of the parish
Where staff meetings form part of church life ,Readers should be included and involved.

20. READERS TODAY-DUTIES OF A READER
Canon E4 states the role of the Reader can include :
Pastoral visiting
Preaching
Preparation of candidates for Baptism and Confirmation

21. READERS TODAY-DUTIES OF A READERS (continued)
Leading worship
Assisting in the administration of the Sacraments at Holy Communion
Taking Holy Communion to the sick
Conducting funerals and cremations
All the above and other pastoral duties at Incumbents wish

22. READERS TODAY-CONTINUAL MINISTERAL DEVELOPMENT
VITAL
Conducted at a Diocesan and Parochial level
Readers Website:

23. READERS TODAY-CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
Bishops Regulations for Readers(Canons)
Ministry Agreements
Records of Service
Episcopal Reviews
Outside engagements

24. READERS TODAY-CONDITIONS OF SERVICE(continued)
Membership of PCC
Robing
Diocesan Readers Executive/Website
Central Readers Council/The Reader Magazine

25. BEING ADMITTED AND LICENSED.
Declaration of Assent and Presentation of New Testament
Admittance of a Reader (Canon E5).
Licence of Reader.
Oath of Canonical Obedience to The Bishop and Minister of Cure

26. READERS IN 2015 Reader Ministry influenced NATIONALLY by:
-Central Readers Council
The Reader Magazine
Central Readers AGM
Bi Annual Conference
National events eg Ordination of Women Bishops ??
New Badge/Emblem introduced

27. READERS IN 2013 CONTD READERS IN 2015 CONTD
Diocesan Reader Ministry is changing ..
-EACH Diocese is becoming more independent of it’s neighbours in it’s ministry AND differing programmes following Reader Upbeat
Eg Are we Readers( Sheffield) or
Local Lay Ministers ( Oxford) ???
Ways of responding to Reader Upbeat

28. SHEFFIELD DIOCESAN READERS-2015
Following Bishop of Sheffield’s “Strategy for Sustainable Ministry 2012 presentation
-suggested that parishes form local clusters-including sharing Readers in the clusters/being licensed to a cluster rather than a parish
Aim for younger Reader base ( Bishop of Sheffield’s Key Note talk at 2012 Diocesan Readers AGM) by encouraging young people in our churches to look at Reader ministry

29. SHEFFIELD DIOCESAN READERS 2015
Readers Website
Diocese of Argentina Readers link with
Sheffield Diocesan Readers
175 Celebrations 2016

30. ANY QUESTIONS?????