This issue cannot be discussed here although it is worth noting that the revision committee of the General Synod have published The Eucharist The Order for the administration of the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion As revised in Committee October 1997 (GS 1211A October 1997) which states unequivocally that "The deacon's liturgical ministry provides an appropriate model for the ministry of an assistant priest, a Reader, or another episcopally authorised minister in the Eucharist" and that "When necessary, a deacon or lay person may preside over the Preparation and the Liturgy of the Word".

This position is supported by Eucharistic Presidency which states that the view of the bishops is that the bishop, or in his absence the priest, is responsible for presiding over the 'Ministry of the Word' at Holy Communion and that Readers may at the president's request preach, read the scriptures and lead the intercessions and only in cases of need in the absence of a priest assist with other parts of the ministry of the word". The latter point arises because of the increasing need for Readers regularly to conduct the 'Ministry of the Word' to enable parishes who share a priest to have a Eucharist. This point is also supported by a CRC guidance note which emphasised that lay 'Ministry of the Word' is a regular, valid and necessary ministry of Readers because it is the only way that regular parish communions can continue in many parishes.

This situation is not unique to the Church of England. In the USA it is quite common to have a service of the word and communion where either pre-consecrated hosts or un-consecrated bread and wine are distributed.