The Office of a Reader is a very ancient one. Lectors used to read the epistle at the Eucharist in the early church, but Reader ministry in the Church of England today is far wider than that of the Lector. There are now about the same number of active Readers in the Church of England as there are full-time clergy.
Readers have a unique place in the life of the church.
They, with Church Army Officers, are the only lay-people licensed under Canon to preach and lead worship. The Reader's licence sets out the areas of ministry which they are permitted to do, in leading worship, preaching, teaching and a wide variety of pastoral work. Readers come from every walk of life and men and women are represented more or less in equal numbers. Those admitted as Readers have to be baptised and confirmed members of the Church of England, and regular communicants. The Reader serves within the team of ministry both in the parish and in the deanery, and brings to the ministry the insights of one who is actively involved as a Christian in the life of the world.