So we have another Reader in ordination training joining us at St. David’s. It seems these days that Readership is just a jumping off point for Ordination. I can’t say that I am surprised as most of the ‘vocational’ material and meetings organised by the Diocese has concentrated on Ordained Ministry as if it were the only sort of ministry worthwhile; add to that the fact that Readers seem to be confused as to their role and reason for being. The demise of services such as Matins and Evensong, a greater emphasis on Communion, and the multitude of other Licensed Lay Ministries leaves many Readers looking for something distinctive to do.
Of, course the Church answers all of this by churning out the ancient mantra that the role of the Reader is one of preaching and teaching; that does little for the Reader who has spent years in training only to appear in the pulpit once every couple of months. Some Readers are happy with that state of affairs whilst others are taking themselves off into areas such as Chaplaincy.
The Church of England does acknowledge that it has a problem. General Synod has produced a report which in its shortened form runs to over eighty pages, but in the discussions I have had with fellow Readers (both formal and informal) and by reading the comments on the official Reader forum, it seems we can’t even agree amongst ourselves as to the way forward. None of this is new. I was first licensed in 1981 and these discussions were taking place then; what is new is the urgency. The same could be said for other ministries within the Church.
What do other Readers think?
Throughout my ministry I have been fortunate always having plenty of scope for the traditional role of preaching and teaching, but having a number of other roles at Diocesan level and outside of the church; that continues to this day. My licence will come to an end in just under eight years and I am wondering if anything will change in that time. Will there be a distinctive Reader ministry in the future or will it be absorbed into the plethora of other lay ministries? With Dioceses now training Ordained and Readers together will more and more take the Ordained route?
At the start of the last decade the number of Reader in my Diocese outweighed those Ordained, now it is about equal. There are as many people as before but the balance is shifting in favour of Ordination; will that trend continue? If so, what is the future for the laity and what opportunities will they have for trained and licensed ministry?
What do others think?
Tags: Electronic Resources, Ministry
David
(First comment lost!)
I have the privledge of knowing a number of Readers. They are as diverse as the whole Church and, therefore, I am not surprised that when they get together they are confused by their role and reason.
We are in a changing time. Churches need to balance what they do, and many are caught between maintaing the existing and reaching out for something new.
In our Benefice, we have three churches. The increasing number of Readers (and Ordained) has meant we have been able to icnrease the number of services offered at the smaller churches. However, we have yet to be able to branch out into services at different times, or even different locations. Something vital when, if you work during the week, the only available service is at 10.00 on Sunday – a time that competes with family time and, for example, all the yough football in the county. (The local RC church does a well attended Saturday eraly evening service).
It strikes me that Readers are fundamental to the first two marks of mission. To have people with a good understanding of theology is vital to be effective in proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel. And to nurture and develop believers.
How this is done will vary across communitites and within different churches.
Perhaps, in churches where this is not happening, Readers could be at the forefront, helping those who are ordained, to see what can be done, and finding a palce to use their Gifts to glory of God.
Blessings
Jonathan
I certainly agree with you regarding being caught between maintaining the the existing and reaching out for something new. My own Parish is in that situation. We have ongoing discussions regarding our Deanery Mission Plan, but we are now sure if we go down the route suggested our own plans for expansion will be stifled. What annoys me (and a number of Incumbents in the Deanery)is that Readers have never been given any formal input into those plans and yet it is acknowledged they will face big changes if they are approved.
In Liverpool we have two Stipendiary Readers as Ministers in Charge, living in the Vicarage and being paid an Incumbent’s salary but that has come out of necessity as no Ordained person could be found for either Church.
As you say, things do vary from community to community and Church to Church. What a Reader can do in one they cannot do in another. Perhaps, I am too negative. I work on joint Anglican Methodist training between Readers and Local Preachers and may of the latter are amazed at what some Readers do