On page 5 of “Answering Questions About The Brotherhood of St. Andrew”, it is stated that the Lay Reader Program was - introduced in 1886, to the Episcopal Church, by the Brotherhood of St. Andrew.

A function of then lay readers was the founding of new Episcopal Missions, in nearby parishes with Brotherhood chapters. These men went door to door to create interest for such Missions in those who listened to them. On Sundays, they met with those who were interested to read Morning and Evening Prayers.

By the grace of God, this ministry, started by the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, is accepted by the Episcopal Church Through out the USA and can be adapted to serve your local needs.

What a lay reader does vary from parish to parish; consequently, training, orientation, and licensing are not standardized. In some churches, lay readers are used by their priests in many ways other than reading of assigned Scriptural Lessons at Worship Services.

Reading Scripture Lessons: The reading of Holy Scriptures at Worship Services is unlike any other reading activity. It is a proclamation of the “Good News” to those assembled to hear and to receive it in their hearts. The reader is not to be an entertainer and should avoid everything that would call attention to himself during his reading. As a messenger of the “Good News”, he must strive, by the help of the Holy Spirit, to have his listeners attention focused upon the Message of the Word.

Morning and Evening Prayers: A lay reader may, in some cases, be asked by someone in authority to conduct Morning and/or Evening Prayers.

Other Functions: A lay reader may be called upon by someone in authority to perform or to assist in the performance of certain other liturgical functions permitted by the church’s canons. These functions may be regular or occasional.

Recruitment: Here, recruitment suggests the seeking and recommending of the most suitable men or women for the Lay Readers Ministry.

Whether or not a lay reader does more than read the assigned lessons at Sunday Worship, members of the congregation tend to regard him as an assistant to the priest and therefore in a position to help them in many ways. They expect him to have a deeper knowledge of the bible than they, and in his spiritual life, many see him as their example.

The search for suitable men to be lay readers, therefore, should be among Brothers Andrew who have a close personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; it should be among men who love and study the Holy Scriptures and who are not only able to read well but who read so that all listeners would hear and understand.

Such men, when they are found should be recommended to the clergy for lay readers training. Potential lay readers should also be identified, encouraged and helped to be prepared and recommendation for training.