The Office of Reader at im2o
Readers in the Church of England
Readership in the Church of England is a lay office. It recognises a person’s calling to this office and through admission and licensing a person’s ministry is validated. It recognises that the Reader has undertaken a wide range of training in pastoral, biblical and theological subjects. A Reader engages in ministry along with every member of the church.
The specific areas of authorization for ministry of Readers are defined by canon law (E4) but are by no means limited to these areas. Every ministry a Reader engages in by virtue of their baptism into the body of Christ, they exercise as a Reader.
Extract from Canon E4
2. It shall be lawful for a reader:
a) to visit the sick, to read and pray with them, to teach in Sunday school and elsewhere, and generally to undertake such pastoral and educational work and to give such assistance to any minister as the bishop may direct;
b) during the time of divine service to read Morning and Evening Prayer (save for the Absolution), to publish banns of marriage at Morning and Evening Prayer (on occasions on which a layman is permitted by the statute law so to do, and in accordance with the requirements of that law), to read the Word of God, to preach, to catechise the children, and to receive and present the offerings of the people;
c) to distribute the holy sacrament of the Lord’s Supper to the people.
2A. The Bishop may also authorise a reader to bury the dead or read the burial service
before, at or after a cremation.
Admission and licensing of Readers is a responsibility of the Diocese but the incumbent of their parish is directly involved in the selection process and is responsible for the day to day exercise of the Reader’s ministry within the parish.
Readers in m2o
In m2o Readers function within a wide range of ministries according to gifting, need and availability, and take their place alongside all who minister, both ordained and lay.
Specific examples of ministries in which Readers have been engaged within m2o include:
- visiting the sick
- home communions
- preaching
- leading Small Groups/Home Groups
- leading the Church Plant
- organising rotas
- taking funerals and funeral visits
- leading worship services
- leading a Purpose Area on the MLT
- membership of PCC and Deanery Synod
- writing email devotionals
- helping to administer Holy Communion
- reading scripture in public
- leading intercessions
- teaching evening courses
- baptism and marriage preparation
- speaking at Alpha
- social action
- member of Prayer Ministry team
- taking school assemblies
- leading and speaking in Family Services
The wide areas of ministry of Readers means they fit within the structures of m2o according to the ministries in which they are engaged. In recognition of their shared office they meet together with the clergy 2 or 3 times p.a. to discuss issues of mutual concern. They also meet with the Leader of their area of ministry or with team members of a ministry throughout the year, as appropriate. Each Reader completes an annual report for the Diocesan Board of Readers outlining their areas of training and ministry during the previous year.
It is expected that a Reader will fully support the Vision and Mission Statement of m2o – “reaching out to turn unchurched people into a community of mature disciples who worship Jesus and serve others”; that they will actively seek to grow in their experience and knowledge of God; that they will be a practical example of Christian living and engage in regular training for their ministry.
m2o is rich in resources and gifted people and part of our vision is that we seek to serve other churches and share our resources – Readers are expected, where time and availability permits, to exercise their ministry in other parishes as appropriate.
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