Licensed Lay Ministers Readers

Readers are licensed lay people trained and equipped for teaching and preaching, enabling mission and exercising leadership in the local church and community.

Reader ministry is recognised across the whole Church of England. They are theologically trained lay people who provide a skilled resource for the church. 

Readers are:

·        Licensed and authorised by the Bishop to lead, preach and teach in a particular parish and their commitment is agreed with the incumbent and PCC 

·        Under the care of the Bishop’s Advisers for Licensed Lay Ministers, who work within the Ministry Team to support Reader ministry. 

·        Readers, like clergy, are expected to become life-long learners, continuing to study after licensing.  

Click here for the pages on licensed lay ministry on the Church of England website.

Exploring Reader Ministry?

First Steps:

·      Pray that God will help you to know whether you are being called to this ministry.

·      Talk with your incumbent to explore your calling further.

·      Discuss your ideas and feelings with your family, friends, other members of your church fellowship and, if possible, with a Reader.

·      Explore your calling with three conversations as a Vocation Explorer

·      Undertake the Foundations for Ministry course to support this discernment process.

·      Consider the demands on your life and the training involved.

Applying for Reader Training

·        The Reader Discernment Framework outlines the qualities we are looking for in a potential call to Reader ministry 

·      You will need the support and agreement of your incumbent and your PCC to proceed. 

·      Your incumbent will then contact the Ministry Team at Church House for an application pack, which must be submitted by the end of June in any given year.

·      Your call from God will be discerned through a diocesan selection process in July, to start training that autumn.

Click here for information on what's involved in the training for Reader Ministry.

If you have any enquiries, just email us on ministry@chester.anglican.org