3.5 Inadequacies.

There is clear evidence that the inadequate and inconsistent approach to training and selection continued through to 1975. The problem is illustrated by Jack's handbook for Readers, which was reprinted and updated for over forty years. It indicates that the best practice rather than the minimum requirement was that candidates should be required to pass a written examination, read a passage of scripture and preach a sermon before being granted a licence. It was also recommended that Readers should have, as a minimum, access to four books, the Bible, the Book Of Common Prayer, a dictionary, and a concordance. Whilst the updated edition of 1964 maintained the approach to selection and training, it added an updated book list which included works by Bright, Richardson and Moule.

Jack's text also gives some indication that reading was the primary function of Readers because a significant part of the book is devoted to reading the scriptures and the office. It is also interesting that seventeen per cent of its content is concerned with the preparation of a traditional Bible talk to children and reflects the Bible-centred approach adopted after the 1944 Education Act. There is however an internal inconsistency because the revised book list reflects the work of Goldman and Loukes et al. who advocated a child-centred approach to teaching which was considered an important stage in replacing the Bible-centred approach to Religious Education in schools.