How did I end up as a Reader?

This article original appeared in The Reader magazine Spring 2014 issue, and is reproduced with permission.

From one point of view, I am not too unlikely a candidate. I was brought up in a nurturing Christian environment. I have always been an active member of a church. I have a good level of education, and I am fairly articulate. I have been a Sunday School teacher and a Home Group leader. I have led Bible Studies, and even preached.

My blue tippet

I am a Reader in the Church of England.

A Reader is a lay person - that is, not ordained as a priest or clergyman. We are trained, and licensed by the Bishop, to lead church services and preach. There are over 10,000 Readers in the Church of England; about the same number as there are active (ie not retired) clergy. It is a voluntary position, and I have a full-time job in IT that keeps me housed and fed.

When leading a service or preaching, I wear a cassock. This is a neck-to-ankle long-sleeved close-fitted black robe. Over the cassock I wear a surplice, which is a much looser, rather shorter white robe with trailing sleeves. Over the surplice, I wear a long, broad, blue scarf that goes round my neck and hangs straight down on either side. This scarf is the distinguishing mark of a Reader, and it is also known as a tippet.

This is my blue tippet.