Readers are lay people who have been trained for ministry and licensed by the bishop to preach and teach, to lead worship, and to assist in the pastoral, evangelistic and liturgical work of the Church in the parish or area where they are licensed.

They work in a variety of contexts: parishes, schools, prisons, hospitals, hospices, with children and young people, the elderly, housebound and bereaved, and with those preparing for baptism, confirmation and marriage.

Readers have a key role in teaching and preaching as well as helping to lead worship. They have a kind of bridge ministry: a bridge between day-to-day life and the world of the church, a bridge which witnesses the unchanging love of God in a changing world. Readers may come from a variety of backgrounds, and many have paid employment. They are authorised, licensed by the bishop and recognised nationally, but are not ordained clergy.

Reader training lasts for one year before licensing, providing practical ministry skills alongside foundational theological understanding. Training then continues for a second year after licensing to further support and develop Readers in their ministry.

Support for Readers

Lay Readers have their own dedicated national website at the link below:

The ministry of our Readers within the parish setting is deeply valued, and many generously dedicate significant time to this work. Therefore, it is essential that a shared understanding is established between Readers and clergy regarding their roles and responsibilities. It’s recommended that they take the time to outline and agree on their respective roles together, which serves as good practice to ensure clarity and mutual understanding. It isn’t intended to be restrictive and can be adapted as needed. For support with this, please get in touch with one of our Reader Chaplains, who will be happy to help.

Reader Chaplains

Reader Chaplains provide support and guidance to Readers within the diocese. The team is led by the Warden of Readers (The Bishop of Bolton), and consists of the Sub-Warden, two chaplains from each Archdeaconry (one Reader and one member of the clergy), and a Reader who serves as Chaplain to those who are Emeritus Readers.

Readers seeking pastoral support or advice should normally contact their Archdeaconry Chaplain in the first instance. However, this does not prevent direct contact with the Warden or Sub-Warden where there is a specific need or reason to do so.

Some of the main tasks that the team undertakes are:

• Working in conjunction with the Director of Vocations on discernment and exploration of the call to Reader ministry.
• Leading the retreat for new Readers who are preparing for licensing.
• Spending time considering new initiatives to strengthen our Readers in their ministries.
• Providing additional care and support to all Readers.
• Conducting development reviews on behalf of the Warden.
• Arranging Archdeaconry meetings where Readers come together to worship, share mutual support, and socialise.
• Providing a listening ear outside of the parish/benefice setting when needed.
• Ensuring Readers’ concerns are heard and, where necessary, escalated on their behalf.

This list is not exhaustive, and the team welcome conversations with any Readers or clergy working alongside them who feel they would benefit from speaking with a Reader Chaplain.

Reader Gatherings

The Archdeaconry Chaplains look to arrange gatherings for all Readers within their area. These can be a time to worship, a safe space for them to discuss matters on their mind, and also a time to relax and socialise together. These gatherings are not compulsory, but Readers are encouraged to attend.

Contact Details