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5.1 The Reader is a preacher!
The regulations specifically mention preaching as the primary
function.
The publication "The Selection Of Readers" excludes any mention of leading worship as the primary aim of Readers because
the authors wanted to emphasise the positive, unique ministry of preaching.
Mike's Master of Arts research survey showed that:
-
preaching
is regarded as an important gift of the potential Reader.
-
preaching
is the most important training need both in terms of practical skills and
subject knowledge.
-
preaching
is regarded by almost 30% of the respondents to be sufficiently important to
lead to a change in the title of Reader to Lay Preacher.
-
preaching
is considered more important than assisting with the liturgy and pastoral care
by over 75% of respondents
-
and
preaching was considered to be the most important of the Readers functions from
a list of fourteen possible choices.
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