Lay Readers

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A lay reader (in some jurisdictions, notably the Church of England, simply Reader) is a layperson authorized by a bishop. They are members of the congregation called to preach or lead 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: Conducting Mattins, Evensong, and Compline, reciting the Litany, publishing banns of marriage, preaching, teaching, and assisting in pastoral care, conducting funerals (this often requires additional specific permission from the diocesan bishop, and the agreement of the family of the deceased),distributing (though not celebrating) Holy Communion.

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 license is that he or she is permitted to do them in the absence of a priest. Licensed Readers are entitled to wear a blue scarf with choir dress.

Originally lay readers were men only but during the First World War some women were appointed but were the term for female readers was then "Bishop's Messenger".

In the Church of England, the office is known simply as Reader. Readers are the only nationally accredited and canonically governed lay ministry in the CofE. Their theological training enables them to preach, teach, and lead worship, and they are also able to assist in pastoral, evangelistic and liturgical work.

The office of Reader has existed in its present form since 1866, and there are now around ten thousand readers in the Church of England.