Licensed lay minister

Candidates for ordained ministry (as deacons and priests) were first admitted to the sequence of minor orders, including that of lector or reader.

Following a Church of England working party report to the General Synod in 2009[5] most English dioceses have adopted the term "licensed lay minister".

[6] In the Scottish Episcopal Church the governing Canon 20 always refers to the office by the two-word term "lay reader".

The role can involve: In many parishes a lay reader may carry out liturgical functions at the Eucharist similar to the role of the liturgical deacon; in parishes of Anglo-Catholic tradition a lay reader may vest and act as subdeacon at Solemn Mass.

This training and licensing elevates the reader to a particular ministerial role and function recognised as being distinct from the parish-based lay leadership of local congregational volunteers.

[9]: 2 Their theological training enables them to preach, teach, and lead worship, and they are also able to assist in pastoral, evangelistic and liturgical work.

In many dioceses 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.

Reader training in the Church of England is overseen by the University of Durham and most candidates study for a Cert Ed or diploma in theology.