Lay reader

A lay reader (in some jurisdictions simply reader) or licensed lay minister (LLM) is a layperson authorized by a bishop in the Anglican Communion to lead certain services of worship or lead certain parts of a service. They are members of the congregation permitted to preach and preside at some services, but not called to full-time ministry.

Anglican lay readers are licensed by the bishop to a particular parish or to the diocese at large. In the former case, in some areas, their tenure expires with the resignation of the parish priest. In the Anglican tradition, the role of licensed lay readers, whose prominence varies by region, is similar to that of a non-conformist lay preacher, and can involve:

Although in many parishes these duties can be performed by any reasonably competent lay person who has been properly instructed, the key to the Reader's licence is that he or she is permitted to do them in the absence of a priest. Licensed Readers are entitled to wear a blue tippet with choir dress. The Anglican Consultative Council has laid out its recommendations for the theological education that all laity should receive.

Training to become a Reader is rigorous and follows a period of testing and preparation. In many diocese this involves some form of access training that introduces the concept of theological reflection as well as the nature of ministry. All potential readers attend a Diocesan Advisory Panel to test their calling and assess their suitability for the role. The recommendations from this are fed to the PCC in the candidates own parish who must endorse they will support the candidate during training and will agree to the candidate going forward for licensing. Training takes place over 2 or 3 years at a local theological college and is often shared with ordinands and those preparing for other types of ministry. Reader training in the Church of England is overseen by the University of Durham and all candidates study for a CertEd or Diploma in theology. All Readers will have a working agreement in place which is agreed with their incumbent. This outlines their duties and aims to promote a balance between them work and family commitments.

Reader training usually incorporates a selection of the following and this can vary across training colleges

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