2. Eligibility

(Up-dated February 9, 2004)

2.1     The following qualifications and standards are recommended to Incumbents for the selection of suitable persons to be lay readers.  The process of selection should be characterized by discernment on the part of the Incumbent, not simply by a matter of volunteering or self-selection.

2.2    Any person who is a regular confirmed communicant in the Diocese of Algoma, a supporter of the parish financially, and who has reached his/her 16th birthday may be eligible to become a Lay Reader.

2.3     Vestry support is required for lay readers.  This should be more than just a formality.  The recommended process is that the advisory board sits as a “committee of the whole” to discuss the quality of a selectee in confidence.  The qualities below should be considered and a vote taken by secret ballot.   The carefully considered decision of the advisory board, or staffing committee, could then be taken as a recommendation for the consent of vestry.

2.4    These standards could also be helpful to vestry when affirming the individuals chosen.  Discussions “in confidence” and secret ballot would be suitable processes for vestry to use rather than simply “proforma” ratification motions.

2.5     The following qualifications and standards are recommended to Incumbents for the selection of suitable persons to be lay readers.  The process of selection should be characterized by discernment on the part of the Incumbent, not simply by a matter of volunteering or self-selection.

A Candidate should be seen by others to:

1)        Have a sound Christian commitment, have a desire to learn and grow as a Christian, and be regular in their attendance and support.

2)        Be persons that other members of the congregation perceive as spiritual and moral leaders.

3)         Have a balanced and wholesome lifestyle

4)       Have evidenced lay  ministry in specific areas of mission or service.

5)        Be persons who have sufficient time and energy in their lives to make this a principal commitment.

6)         Be persons who can work under the direction of the incumbent and in a team relationship with other lay leaders, and who will move cheerfully to other tasks when their term concludes.

7)        Be persons who will value relationships beyond the parish, participate in ongoing education and support deanery lay reader events.

8)         Be persons who are familiar with Anglican thought and ethos.

9)         Lay readers must be baptized and confirmed - Canon I-4 (3A).

10)      (Where the criteria are met, teens and young adults are encouraged into this ministry.)

2.6     A standardized Form of Registration is provided in Appendix A.

2.7     All covenants must be over the Incumbent's signature with his/her agreement as an affirmation of ministry in the life of the Church for the applicant.

2.8   All Diocesan Lay Reader applications must be supported by the Deanery Council.