The Deployment Of Readers looks sensitively at the deployment of Readers and recognises the 'home grown' nature of the ministry and the need for the Reader and their family to be part of the same Christian community. Nevertheless it raises the question of how Readers who are under used, because of personality clashes or a particular parish being over-resourced, can be used for the benefit of the wider church. The consultative approach adopted in The Deployment Of Readers seems more realistic than the earlier suggestion in Order in Diversity that Readers should consult with the bishop on the location of any new house that they purchase to ensure that it is in a parish that needs their ministry and is not over-resourced (ABM M5 p.64)

4.12 Work.

This role of the Reader in the workplace highlights the distinction between the functions that Readers carry out because they are Readers and what they could have done without their licence.

The evidence gathered in the survey suggests that the Reader's licence is 'at best' a discussion starter in the work place. This has the implication that the idea of a bishop's licence enables Readers to become an outward looking 'bridge builder between the church and the world' is somewhat optimistic. This position agrees with Mark's research on NSM which identified that ordination as a priest gives a person in secular employment far more visibility than that experienced by Readers, which may lead to opportunities and hostility.