Reader Training

The new Diocesan Reader Training Programme began in September 2006. The new course is delivered in partnership with the North Thames Ministerial Training Course.

Where does Reader training begin?

Not at the moment of selection for training!  Anybody selected will already be on a journey of faith: studying the Bible, learning to pray, exploring issues of faith and thinking about God for a considerable time. Further training builds on that experience. 

The normal foundation for specific training for this ministry of `preaching and teaching within a pastoral context' is the diocesan Course in Christian Studies . This two-year course is open to all and covers topics including: the Bible, church history, creeds, sacraments, spirituality, discipleship and ethics.

Potential candidates who have already undertaken some theological education (e.g. a diploma or degree) may be exempt from the Course in Christian Studies.

How does selection happen? 

Those who are interested in Reader ministry are asked to prayerfully consider their vocation with their incumbent and members of the parish. They may also want to discuss the possibility of Reader ministry with their CCS tutor.

Potential candidates make a request for an initial application form. This requires that their incumbent signs the form indicating that they support the candidate’s application. The candidate meets with their local vocations adviser and the vocations adviser also signs the form. On completion of the initial application form a full application form is issued. Those sponsored will be asked to provide a written account of their life experience, journey of faith and sense of vocation. References will be sought from their parish priest or chaplain and others, and an endorsement from their parochial church council is needed, passed by an overwhelming majority.

Candidates will be interviewed at home by one of the selectors appointed by the Bishops and then take part in an all-day Selection Conference. Those recommended for training proceed to the diocesan initial Reader training course, which begins each autumn. Depending on the outcome of the selection conference a candidate may begin Reader training having completed the first year of CCS or having competed the full two years of the course.

Criteria for selection

In choosing candidates for training the Bishops’ selectors will use the following criteria:

• Vocation: is the candidate called to the ministry of a Reader in the Church?
• Faith: is there evidence of true faith and commitment to God and of openness to new expressions of the Church's faith?
• Spirituality: are there signs of a living relationship with God expressed in worship, prayer, Bible study and in all parts of life?
• Personality and character: does the candidate show maturity, stability and integrity? Are there signs of the enthusiasm, sensitivity and confidence needed by a minister of the Word?
• Relationships: does the candidate relate well to others and show an ability to work collaboratively in a team?
• Quality of Mind: does the candidate have an open and enquiring mind, an ability to study at the appropriate level, a lively interest in theology, contemporary issues in church and society and events in the wider world?
• Mission: does the candidate demonstrate a wide and inclusive understanding of God's mission to the world?
• Communication Skills: does the candidate show evidence of an ability to  develop skills for communicating the Gospel effectively in a variety of contexts?

What does Reader training involve?

The Reader training course is a two year course delivered in partnership with the North Thames Ministerial Training Course (NTMTC). Reader candidates study for a Dip HE Ministry awarded by Middlesex University. 

The first year 

of Reader training is a foundation year of ministry training and Reader candidates study alongside those in the first year of ordination training at NTMTC.

This year of the course is based at either the Chelmsford or East London NTMTC centre and includes:

• weekly study evenings (Chelmsford Thursdays, East London Tuesdays) throughout the academic year.
• seven residential weekends.
• one residential week.

For further information click NTMTC

The second year

of Reader training focuses on training for the distinctive role of Reader ministry and is delivered by the diocese. This year of the course includes:

• Seminar days which introduce a topic.
• Students meet in locally convened tutorial groups approximately once a month throughout the year.
• This aspect of the training involves work  based learning and includes assessed sermons, a placement and a parish project.

The topics covered on the course as well as the styles of learning are subject to moderation by the Ministry Division Reader Education Panel of the Church of England. These areas of study are interlocking and all involve theological reflection as well as practical skills. Over the two years a course member will do practical work and prepare essays or oral presentations in the following areas:

• spirituality: including opportunities to explore different approaches to the subject and a  weekend retreat near the time of Admission to Reader ministry.
• mission: reading and thinking about the Church's life in a pluralist society, with close observation of life in a placement parish or chaplaincy, leading to theological reflection shared with the tutorial group.
• scripture: critical study of ways of interpreting and using the Bible, and the leading of a Bible study session for the tutorial group.
• preaching: guidance on the theology and practice of preaching, with at least three sermons assessed by the tutor and/or pastoral supervisor.
• ethics: aiming to equip students with the resources to apply ethical scrutiny to situations that may arise in ministry.
• doctrine of God: personal and historical reflection on Christian belief in God.
• parish project: a specific project must be devised and led by the candidate in her/his local parish or chaplaincy, leading to a written account and presentation to the parish.
• ministry: reading  and thinking about the breadth of Christian service in the Church’s tradition and in the contemporary world, with particular reference to Reader ministry.
• workshops and training days  in the fields of: communication skills, adult learning and group work. Liturgy, including the leading of prayer, all-age worship, liturgical resources and the theology of the Eucharist. Voice production, reading and body language.

Following licensing Readers complete an initial continuing ministerial education year including the following topics:

• Children’s and Youth Ministry
• Funerals and Bereavement (required before Readers can conduct funerals)
• Preaching

On average a student should be prepared to give about ten hours a week to work relating to the course.

Reader Training 2006 

Who supports Readers-in-training?

Course Members are supported in varying ways throughout the training:

• by the staff of NTMTC
• by a pastoral supervisor - a priest or Reader from the candidate's own parish or a neighbouring one
• by a local tutor, who works with a group of candidates throughout the course
• by a spiritual advisor or director chosen by the candidate, an entirely confidential relationship
• by a placement supervisor - a parish priest or chaplain in a pastoral situation different from the candidate's own, to which s/he is attached for part of the training period
• by specialist teachers, who introduce parts of the Course and lead workshops
• by diocesan staff: including Revd Philip Ritchie (Director of Lay Ministry Studies) and Liz Watson (Administrator).

All these people will want to encourage and challenge candidates in the many settings where learning occurs. The Reader training course is both rigorous and demanding, emphasising the importance which the church attaches to the ministry of Reader.

When does one become a Reader?

Candidates who have satisfactorily completed the two years of the Reader training programme are admitted and licensed to the ministry of Reader at Reader’s Day. The annual diocesan Readers' Day is on the second Saturday in October.

Well before this date, the Director of Lay Ministry Studies prepares a report on the candidate’s engagement with the course and preparedness for licensing. This report is based on feedback from the candidate, pastoral supervisor, tutor and NTMTC staff.  On the basis of this report, a decision is made whether to recommend each candidate to the Area Bishop. If he accepts a positive recommendation, the Bishop then consults as to which parish or chaplaincy the Reader will be licensed.

Before Admission and Licensing, the Reader has to prepare and sign an initial Working Agreement with the parish priest or chaplain s/he will be working with.

Where does it end?

A minister of the Word is committed to life long study and training, without which his or her ministry cannot remain fresh.

After the expected date of Admission, there will be a programme of continual ministerial education seminars and workshops. All licensed Readers in the diocese have an annual allowance for continuing ministerial education. This can be used either for diocesan events or for conferences and training days arranged by other agencies.

For further information please contact:

Liz Watson 

Diocesan Office

53 New Street

Chelmsford

CM1 1AT

Tel: 01245 294449    Email: lwatson@chelmsford.anglican.org  

 

 

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