As you can read elsewhere on the site, The Reader magazine has been in existence for a very long time, certainly over 100 years, under various titles such as ‘The Lay Reader: a magazine for Readers and Lay Workers’.
What is certain is that over that time there have been both new and familiar challenges for lay ministry and lay ministers, and the magazine – and now website – seeks to help in its mission of ‘Equipping, challenging and transforming’ your ministry.
To that end, we have put together a reader survey to see what you think of the magazine and website, and what you would like to read in the future.
Please do take the time to complete the survey and give us as much detail as possible when it comes to suggestions – there are several comment boxes you can type into.
We are here to serve, and wish to do so based on as many replies as possible.
I should also say that I welcome ideas for articles, and contributions as well – you can reach me at editor@transformingministry.co.uk
More needs to be done to increase the representation of people from working class backgrounds in lay and ordained leadership roles in the Church of England, the General Synod has heard.
The Bishop of Barking, Lynne Cullens, who is heading a key advisory group drawing up a strategy to encourage working class vocations, spoke of progress but said research showed that there was still a ‘long way to go.”
She was addressing the General Synod one year on after members backed a call for the strategy to be drawn up following a debate led by Father Alex Frost, a Vicar in Burnley, in the Diocese of Blackburn.
“We continue to receive feedback from those who are in discernment, training and ministry that barriers not faced by their middle class peers exist – cultural, financial, attitudinal and academic,” Bishop Lynne said.
“There was a poverty of both expectation and opportunity which prohibits and restricts vocational journeys of many.”
The Bishop of Chester, Mark Tanner, who Chairs the Ministry Development Board, said a consultation exercise across the country had revealed the ‘cultural disconnect’ experienced by people from working class roots.
“There are frustrations – let’s be real Synod – our practices are often opaque, and that is deeply, deeply frustrating and alienating to many, even many of those who have served among us for years,” he said.
“We heard those frustrations around vocations, discernment, training, finances, housing, and leadership progression, above all around a kind of cultural disconnect, where you are invited to be part of something, but you never fully feel that you belong, always that you have to kind of hide a bit of yourself. Indeed, the word frustration might be an understatement.
“But at the same time, we heard hope – genuine hope, cautious, sometimes fragile, but a kind of real optimism.”
He said the new discernment framework is bringing change and is more accessible for working class people.
Ordinands whose previous educational experience might have been less than positive have spoken of excellent support, he said.
“These are important but still all too small steps. There is more that we can and we must do, not least in our most under resourced communities,” he said.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, welcomed the work to encourage working class vocations. She highlighted shift workers, saying that 27 per cent of the UK work force regularly work evenings and nights – and they will include many potential lay and ordained ministers.
“Our current processes exclude shift workers, and we need to do more to ensure that our vocational processes are accessible to those outside traditional working patterns. Their experience brings gifts to the church that we urgently need,” she said.
Father Alex, a former Argos store manager, told the Synod that hundreds of people had contacted him following last year’s debate.
“I personally heard from hundreds of people in the Church, from so many people with a story to tell, people testifying that God is in every place, in every setting and in every person,” he said.
Here is the wording of the motion approved by the General Synod
Working class vocation and ministry next steps
‘That this Synod:
a) note the unanimous support given by this Synod in February 2025 to the Private Member’s Motion brought by the Revd Alex Frost calling for a national strategy for working-class vocations and ministry, and recognise that Synod has already agreed to “Commit itself to taking the necessary steps to raise up a new generation of lay and ordained leaders from estates and working-class backgrounds at all levels in the church” when agreeing to GS 2345 (point 5 in the motion).
b) welcome the consultation work that heard from working-class ministers, both lay and ordained, across the Church of England, acknowledging their voice and that the Church can and must do better to receive their ministry, both now and in the future.
c) call on the House of Bishops to address structural and cultural barriers to the flourishing of working-class ministers and their ministry at all levels, acknowledging the intersections with other underrepresented groups.
d) encourage the national church, dioceses and training institutions to fully adopt the use of the recognised socio-economic background (SEB) data questions as an aid to monitoring progress on class representation.
e) endorse ongoing engagement with working-class ministers and other stakeholders for continuing the strategy development and the creation of a new advisory group to oversee this, reporting to the Ministry Development Board (MDB).
Testimonies on working class vocations can be watched here.
Duncan Ballard is the new Church in Wales representative on the Central Readers’ Council (CRC).
Duncan is Vicar of the Cowbridge Ministry Area in the Vale of Glamorgan, where he and his team care for 15 churches.
He has served in a wide range of parishes — from urban estates to deeply rural communities — and previously ran a company developing technology for blind and deaf-blind people. He remains passionate about disability inclusion and the connection between spirituality and technology.
Duncan supports Lay Ministry in Llandaff and across the Province, and brings a wealth of experience to the role.
Married to Ellie, he enjoys dry-stone walling, restoring old computers and clocks — and walking the dogs (even if they’re more enthusiastic about it than he is!).
If you are thinking about how to use the gifts God has given you, then come find out more about Lay Ministry. At this taster session you can ask commitment-free questions about the different ministries, including Reader (teaching) ministry, Pastoral ministry, Pioneer (missional) ministry, ministry with Children and Young People, and Evangelist (outreach) ministry. This is a chance to hear some stories of people who have experienced these roles and been through training, and how you might begin exploring your own vocation. Dates
Wednesday, 25th February, 2026 7:30-8:30 pm
Wednesday, 15th April, 2026 7:30-8:30 pm
Tuesday, 26th May, 2026 7:30-8:30 pm
Booking links available from this page https://southwark.anglican.org/news-events/events/whats-on/lay-ministry-taster-sessions/
York Diocese – Step Forward
Step Forward is for anyone aged 18 to 30 who is wondering whether God might be calling them to ministry in the Church of England. Saturday 7 March, 10.30am-4pm
Leicester Diocese – Lay Ministry Gathering
Saturday 7 March, 10am-3.30pm – St Martins House, Leicester A range of sessions and table conversations on the themes of discipleship, pioneering on new housing developments, spiritual engagement in the great outdoors, focal ministry, working with schools. This event is open to all licensed lay ministers, focal ministers, locally authorised ministers and anyone for whom the content might be relevant. Refreshments available from 9.30am. Lunch included. For catering purposes please RSVP to mmbookings@leicestercofe.org State your name, parish and any dietary requirements.
Ely Diocese: Exploring Lay Ministry
Could Lay Ministry be for you? Come along to one of our Explorers evenings and find out more about the range of lay ministry roles available across the diocese, as well as the discernment process, training and support available. https://www.elydiocese.org/exploring-lay-ministry-2025.php# Monday 23 February 2026 Thursday 26 March 2026 Wednesday 29 April 2026 Thursday 21 May 2026 Also, LLM Selection Day – March 2026 Annual Gathering of LLMs – May 2026 Licensing Service – October 2026
Norwich – Licensed Lay Ministry Training
Monday 16 March, 2026, 7.30pm till 9.30pm at Diocesan House, Norwich. Information about the LLM course and the chance to answer any questions you may have. The evening will run from and will include a short individual interview if you are going to selection. There will be a chance to meet current students as well as staff. To register to attend, please email Marleen Madinda
Blackburn 2026 Diocesan Conference
Monday 6 July – Thursday 9 July, 2026 Theme: Found by Jesus, delving into the books of Luke and Acts. On this Ascension Day we get a taster of the amazing truths Luke records in the first chapter of Acts to set up the rest of the book, following on from his Gospel account. Canon Jean Duerden is once again the Conference Booking Administrator. She can be reached by phone on 07976 528715 or by email at conference@blackburn.anglican.org for more information.
Joined Up Conference 2026 – Sheffield Diocese
March 7, 2026 9:45 am – 4:00 pm The 11th Joined Up Conference is for children’s, youth and schools workers in and around South Yorkshire. The Joined Up Conference is hosted by: The Diocese of Sheffield, Sheffield Methodist Circuit, Sheffield Methodist District and United Reformed Church.
Summer Bibical Study in Cambridge
Week 1: Sunday 26th – Friday 31st July 2026
Week 2: Sunday 2nd August – Friday 7th August 2026
The Vacation Term for Biblical Study is running summer courses at Westminster College, Cambridge. Each week offers two five hour courses, and their three related ‘Readings’ in a Biblical language, which explore exegetical and translation issues. The first week also offers three supplementary lectures – which often form a series.; whilst week 2 offers two supplementary lectures and two short papers offered by young scholars (on Wednesday). Courses explore Old and New Testament topics and related subjects. Courses include a concluding question and answer session; and there is always opportunity for further discussion over meals. Participants can be issued with an Attendance Certificate on request.
Festival of Preaching, Cambridge
13–15 September 2026. https://festivalofpreaching.hymnsam.co.uk/
For many months, representatives from the national church, the Central Readers Council (CRC) and lay ministers have been shaping an update to the Bishop’s Regulations for Reader Ministry. These Regulations were published in 2000 so needed some considerable updating to reflect changes in ministry over the last quarter of a century. The new guidance has now been accepted by the House of Bishops and commended to dioceses.
For most Readers and Licensed Lay Ministers (LLMs), little will change. We remain licensed under canons E4–6; we still preach, teach, lead worship, offer pastoral care and serve missionally; and safeguarding continues to be essential. Many Readers/LLMs have ministries both inside and outside the church. However, the updated guidance clarifies certain issues:
Retirement
The 2000 regulations required Readers over 70 to surrender their licence and apply for “permission to officiate” instead. The 2026 guidance removes this automatic distinction, stating simply that a licence “may continue after their 70th birthday.” It also emphasizes that Readers should not feel obligated to continue indefinitely and recommends that dioceses consider writing retirement policies for Readers/LLMs. (See section 5 and para 3.4.)
Emeritus status
Dioceses have diverged in practice over the use of the term ‘Emeritus’. The 2026 guidance states that those with Emeritus (or Emerita) titles are retired from active ministry and should not robe. (See para 5.5.)
Discernment and Formation
The 2026 guidance introduces references to the national discernment framework exploring specific areas (love for God, call to ministry, love for people, wisdom, fruitfulness and potential) and national formation framework. It also emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in discernment processes, with national funding available for disabled candidates or those with additional learning needs. (See section 2.)
Safeguarding
As expected, safeguarding requirements have been significantly enhanced since 2000. Readers/ LLMs are expected to update their training appropriately, and in a timely manner. Failure to do so may cause their licence to be revoked. (See section 3 especially para 3.10, and para 2.9.)
Ministerial Development Reviews
There is an increased emphasis on written agreements for Readers/LLMs with continued development and training linked to Ministerial Development Reviews. The 2026 guidance is more detailed about what reviews should cover, including consideration of retreats or sabbaticals. (See paras 4.6 and 4.7)
Scope of Licence
All Readers/LLMs hold licences which allow them to preach and lead worship within their diocese with their incumbents’ permission and the permission of the receiving incumbent. However, the majority of Readers/LLMs have a named parish or benefice on their licence where their ministry is focused. The new guidance explicitly mentions the possibility of licensing Readers to a diocese or deanery rather than a benefice or parish, providing greater deployment flexibility. (See para 3.7.)
Working in Two (or More) Dioceses
Occasionally Readers/LLMs are invited to preach, lead worship, or take a funeral in another diocese. They may do so but must first obtain written permission from the bishop of the other diocese. If a Reader/LLM regularly works in two dioceses, they may hold a licence in both dioceses. (See paras 3.8 & 3.6.)
Vacancies
The 2026 guidance is more nuanced about Reader ministry during clergy vacancies, noting that ‘continuation’ should not be assumed indefinitely during protracted vacancies, and setting clearer expectations for new incumbents to foster collaborative ministry. It also recognises that prolonged vacancies can add a strain to Readers/LLMs and that their wellbeing and ongoing sense of call should be actively monitored rather than taken for granted. (See paras 4.21 & 4.22.)
Funerals
The new guidance confirms that Readers/LLMs may conduct funerals with the Bishop’s authorisation and appropriate training. The earlier regulations stated that Reader/LLM ministry was ‘voluntary’ and, for some ministers, this was very important. However, since 2014, dioceses have been able to authorise payment to Readers/LLMs for funerals. The guidance clarifies this, although this is still at the discretion of the individual diocese and Readers/LLMs may always decline payment! (See paras 4.10 & 4.11)
Public Worship with Communion by Extension
This is a new development since the original Regulations were approved. Some dioceses allow Readers/LLMs to lead such services; others do not. The new guidance acknowledges this possibility. (See para 4.9).
The CRC (Central Readers’ Council)
It is good to see that the CRC is acknowledged as the charity supporting Readers/LLMs in England. (Since this new document is published by the Church of England, it applies only to England although the Church in Wales has been given a copy. The CRC also oversees Readers/LLMs in the Church in Wales. See p.2)
Finally, the new document uses the phrase ‘Reader / LLM (Reader)’ throughout. While admittedly clumsy, it reflects the use of both names in the Church of England after the decision (in 2008) that Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) may be an alternative title for Reader.
Dioceses have been sent this guidance and asked to consider it over the next two years in their development of Reader/LLM policies. Hence there may not be instant changes, but it is hoped that more consistency will develop across the Church of England in its recognition of Reader/LLM ministry.
We are grateful to everyone who has contributed to this guidance which aims to be encouraging and supportive.
Dioceses will seek to communicate any relevant changes to their Readers/LLMs over the next two years.
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