The office of Lay Reader, in its current form, has a history dating back to 1866. The title is derived from the original duty of reading Morning and Evening Prayer.
Today the duties and functions of a Lay Reader may be broader in scope and may overlap other areas of Christian ministry. However, in discerning a vocation and call to a specific ministry function within the organised body of the Church, the defining characteristic is the primary focus or central role and the orbit of that ministry. In collaboration with local clergy, Lay Readers often perform such functions as reading lessons, administering the chalice, leading the Prayers of the People, sharing leadership in and planning for public worship services, including giving the homily or sermon.
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LAY READERS
Lay Reader
In discerning a vocation and call to a specific ministry function within the organised body of the Church, the defining characteristic is the primary focus or central role and the orbit of that ministry. The primary focus of ministry of a Lay Reader is teaching and proclaiming the Word of God.
The primary orbit of the ministry of a Lay Reader is within your congregation working under the direction of your priest and/or Archdeacon. It is amongst your own local church family that you would exercise your ministry of teaching.
As a Lay Minister, licensed by the bishop, you might be asked by your priest to lead a Service of the Word like Morning or Evening Prayer. Furthermore, other liturgical or pastoral duties with your congregation may also be agreed between you and your priest. All Lay Readers have an agreed Ministry Covenant with their priest that clearly sets outs their agreed expectations and responsibilities. -
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Lay Readers
When a Rector/priest-in-charge desires the services of a lay reader, application should be made to the bishop through the Diocesan Chaplain to Lay Readers. The prospective lay reader will prepare for his/her licencing under the direction of the Rector/priest-in-charge, and as set out in the appended policy. No fixed examinations are set by the diocese because of the variety of circumstances from which the lay readers come and the scholastic ability of the persons themselves…
Licensing
Training of a candidate lay reader is the responsibility of his or her rector/priest-in-charge. No specific course of study is provided for lay readers, it being expected that rector/priest-in-charges will develop individual programmes based on the needs of the parish and on the abilities and needs of their candidates…
Application
Lay readers are licensed to a particular rector/priest-in-charge in a particular parish. A licence lapses (1) if the lay reader moves to another parish, (2) a rector/priest-in-charge leaves a parish, or (3) a rector/priest-in-charge informs a lay reader that their services are no longer required…
Covenant
The Rector will acknowledge the unique position of the Lay Reader, and will assist him/her in developing a ministry to the glory of God. This ministry will include liturgical functions and at least one of visiting, counselling, teaching, administration, or such other ministry as agreed to by Rector and Lay Reader…
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https://rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/resources/blogpage/
https://rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/resources/lectionary/
https://rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/
https://rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/rites/funerals/
https://rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/rites/baptism/
https://rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/rites/weddings/
https://rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/churches/stjohns/
https://rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/churches/stmatthews/
https://rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/churches/christchurch/
https://rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/churches/advent/
https://rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/churches/trinity/
https://rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/churches/stpauls/
https://rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/#top
https://rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/#section1
https://www.rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/Statistics/
https://www.rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/resources/blogpage/
https://www.rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/resources/lectionary/
https://www.rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/
https://www.rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/rites/funerals/
https://www.rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/rites/baptism/
https://www.rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/rites/weddings/
https://www.rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/churches/stjohns/
https://www.rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/churches/stmatthews/
https://www.rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/churches/christchurch/
https://www.rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/churches/advent/
https://www.rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/churches/trinity/
https://www.rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/churches/stpauls/
https://www.rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/#top
https://www.rondeaubaytransfiguration.org/#section1