Licensed Lay Ministers
Licensed Lay Ministers, are lay people, who are called by God, trained and licensed by the Church, to offer ministry. Among them are the following different types of lay ministers:
- Readers, who receive theological training, and are able to preach, teach, lead worship and assist in pastoral, evangelistic and liturgical work.
- Lay pioneers, who are appointed to specific pioneering roles, helping churches to create spaces where people can engage with a church community in less traditional ways.
- Children, family and youth workers, who offer ministry to those who are under 18 and their families, who are part of our church's congregation or the wider community. Read more about their roles, and discover resources here.

Three new Readers to be licensed this year
This year, three new Readers will be licensed at our cathedral on June 21:
- Sue Craft (to serve at Holy Trinity with St Columba, Fareham)
- Sam Piggot (to serve at St Cuthbert’s, Copner)
- Carolyn Shannon (to serve at Leigh Park and Warren Park)
Details of that service can be found here.
The Readers pictured above, with Bishop Geoff Annas, were licensed in our cathedral in June 2024.
Click below for:
- Information (including selection and training process)
- Annual conference
- Contacts
visit the Central Readers’ Council website